http://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/i_am_a_first_time_home_buyer_do_i_need_to_have_-106836thank youen-ushttp://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Washington_Depot_CT-713725/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Washington_Depot_CT-713725/You do not need to put 20% down to buy a home. The amount of money you put down on a home is just one of the negotiation levers in an offer. The more money put down on the deposit, shows the seller how committment to the property you are. Only 1% is required to be submitted with the offer. The remaining 19% would normally be due after buyer satisfaction of inspections, etc. Since you are a first time home buyer, there are several programs that lenders can offer you to fit your needs. You should check with your current bank, a local bank in the town that you are looking to buy in, and a national lender to see what they can offer you. Also check with your Real Estate Agent. William Raveis, for example, offers financing through Raveis Mortgage. Do you have a property in mind that you are ready to make an offer on?Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:08:13 -0700http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Home_Seller-Enfield_CT-290654/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Home_Seller-Enfield_CT-290654/Hi Carla What area are you looking to buy? I have a lender offering special financing on my home in Enfield CT. Go to realtor.com look at MLS G529596 and then give me a call to discuss it Carla (LOL - yes I am also Carla)Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:30:06 -0700http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Brunswick_GA-251420/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Brunswick_GA-251420/There are so many programs out there for first time homebuyers but I use the USDA's 100% financing for first time home buyers as well as FHA loans with a 3 1/2% down payment. With the added incentive of the first time home buyer tax credits, it is a great time to take a look at your options. Find a great lender and buyer's agent to give you some advice for your area. I have attached a blog post to read that will give some more detailed information as I am not qualified to give tax or lending advice but am telling you about my experiences with my own first time home buyers.Sun, 05 Apr 2009 17:40:11 -0700http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Stamford_CT-96558/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Stamford_CT-96558/Hi Carla. There are a number of federal and state funded financial assistance programs available for first time home buyers of modest and moderate incomes. You may even qualify for a no-interest down payment loan. I would recommend you visit this site: http://www.hdf-ct.org/firsttimehomebuyers.html and sign up for an orientation. It's free and they hold them a few times a week in Stamford. Once you attend the orientation they will assign you to a counselor who can help you get your application together. They will also introduce you to their approved lenders. All of this is free and not well known by the public. I recently had a client take advantage of these programs and she bought a lovely home in the Springdale area. If you want, I can put you in touch with her. She was very satisfied. In any case, you should contact the Housing Development Fund (phone # on site) and ask them about their programs. Good luck. Yes, you CAN buy a home or a condo, if you have a strong credit score. Best, Len Schwartz 203-912-5254Sun, 05 Apr 2009 16:06:22 -0700http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Greenwich_CT-314644/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Greenwich_CT-314644/Good Morning Carla, This is Charlie Nedder from Weichert Realtors Stamford CT. If you are interested in what types of mortgage products would be available to you, I am happy to introduce you to my Gold Service Manager, Iliad Estrada. There is no fee or obligation to speak with Iliad, as a full service real estate company, it is just one of the many services that Weichert provides to every customer. Feel free to give me a call at 203-524-4303 and I will be happy to make the introduction. If you will be in the Stamford area today 4/4/09, I am holding an open house at 45 Dora St from 1-3pm...stop by and say hello. For more information about Weichert and Charlie Nedder visit my website at WWW.CNEDDER.COMSat, 04 Apr 2009 06:54:30 -0700http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Dallas_TX-123371/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Dallas_TX-123371/GREAT QUESTION: Difficult to determine till you work with a mortgage broker who can review all our financial records, credit scores, employment history, much more. Downpayment vary from 3.5% up 20% Lynn911 ~ National Featured Realtor and Consultant, Lecturer regarding Credit Repair, Mortgage Loan OfficerSat, 04 Apr 2009 06:00:29 -0700