Talking to a lender and getting "pre-approved" is your first step to home ownership! There are no right or wrong answers, you just want to explain your situation and find out what your loan options are, including FHA, down payment assistance, first-time home buyer programs, VA and Conventional loans.  

FHA loans are not just for first-time buyers and there are pros and cons to using FHA financing. It might be the right thing for you if you have lower credit or higher debt ratios. 

First time home buyer programs are actually referring to Conventional loan programs. The big advantage is they allow you to put as little as 3% down and they can be easier to qualify for. One thing to be aware of is the household income limits, find out if you qualify! 

Get up to $17,000 to buy your next home in Minnesota! The MN Housing Finance Agency has 3 programs to pay for your down payment and closing costs.