First-time buyers
Nobody is born knowing how to buy a house
Everyone starts at zero — including everyone who now owns a home. This page is the calm starting point: the myths, the real path, and the money help most first-time buyers never hear about.
Myth-busting
Six things "everyone knows" that are wrong
These myths keep renters renting for years longer than necessary. Tap each one for the truth.
You need 20% down to buy a home
The truth: Conventional loans start at 3% down for first-time buyers, FHA at 3.5%, and VA and USDA at $0. Twenty percent avoids PMI, but PMI is often a smaller cost than years of rising rent and home prices while you save.
You need perfect credit
The truth: Plenty of buyers close in the 600s. FHA guidelines reach down to 580 with 3.5% down. Your score affects pricing, not just approval — and Jordan can show you exactly what a score improvement would be worth before you decide to wait.
You should wait for rates to drop
The truth: Nobody can time rates — not Jordan, not the news, nobody. What you can control: buying a home you can afford at today's numbers, then refinancing if rates fall. Meanwhile, waiting risks higher prices and more competition when rates do drop.
Getting pre-approved hurts your credit
The truth: A mortgage credit pull typically costs a few points, briefly. Credit models also treat multiple mortgage inquiries within a shopping window as one. The real risk is shopping for homes without a pre-approval — sellers take those offers less seriously.
Find the house first, figure out the loan later
The truth: Backwards — and it's how buyers end up heartbroken over homes outside their budget. Payment first, price range second, house hunt third. It's calmer, and your offers are stronger from day one.
Student loans mean you can’t buy
The truth: Student debt factors into your debt-to-income ratio, but it rarely disqualifies you on its own. Underwriting often uses your actual income-driven payment, not the balance. Jordan runs your real numbers instead of letting the myth decide for you.
The path
Six steps from "someday" to keys in hand
The conversation
Text or call Jordan. Where you are, what you're hoping for, what you're worried about. No documents required, no obligation created.
Pre-approval
A short application plus documents uploaded through Fairway's secure system. Jordan verifies income, assets and credit so your pre-approval letter actually means something.
Payment & budget
Together you land on a monthly payment you're comfortable with — then work backwards to the price range. Comfort first, price tag second.
House hunting
You shop with a real budget and a strong pre-approval. Jordan stays a text away for payment checks on any address you're touring.
Offer & contract
When your offer is accepted, Jordan locks the plan: rate strategy, timeline, and what happens next — communicated to you and your agent.
Clear to close
Processing, appraisal, underwriting — Jordan quarterbacks it behind the scenes and updates you at every milestone until you get the keys.
The money nobody mentions
Down payment help is real — in both of Jordan's states
Minnesota: Minnesota Housing programs (like Start Up) provide down payment and closing cost loans — some deferred with no monthly payment until you sell or refinance.
Wisconsin: WHEDA pairs its first mortgages with down payment assistance for eligible buyers, on similar terms.
Income limits, purchase price limits, and program details change regularly — Jordan checks your eligibility against the current guidelines as part of pre-approval.
How assistance works →What working with Jordan feels like
Calm, not chaotic — on purpose
A mortgage shouldn’t feel like a fire drill. Jordan’s whole approach is built around three promises:
You’ll always know what’s next
Clear expectations up front, updates at every milestone. No radio silence, no surprises the week of closing.
Questions get straight answers
Plain English, real numbers, honest trade-offs. If something isn’t a good idea, Jordan will tell you that too.
The process runs quietly
Jordan handles the moving parts behind the scenes, so the loudest part of your mortgage is the doorbell on closing day.
Money questions, straight answers
First-time buyer FAQ
How much money do I actually need to buy my first home?
Plan for three buckets: the down payment (as low as 0–3.5% depending on program), closing costs (roughly 2–4% of the price, sometimes negotiable to the seller), and a cushion for moving and surprises. Down payment assistance can cover much of the first two for eligible buyers.
What credit score do I need?
Conventional programs generally start around 620; FHA can go lower. But the better question is what your score costs you — pricing improves as scores rise, and Jordan can show you the payment difference before you decide whether to buy now or build credit first.
How long does buying a first home take?
Pre-approval can happen in a day or two. House hunting is up to you and the market. Once you have an accepted offer, closing typically runs about 30 days.
What is down payment assistance and do I qualify?
State housing agencies — Minnesota Housing in MN, WHEDA in WI — offer loans that cover down payment and closing costs for eligible buyers, based mostly on income limits and first-time buyer status. Jordan pairs the assistance with the right first mortgage.
Is now a good time to buy?
The honest answer: it depends on your life, not the headlines. If your payment is affordable, your job is stable, and you plan to stay a few years, the math usually favors starting. If not, Jordan will tell you that too — waiting is sometimes the right call.
Your first step is a text, not a commitment
Tell Jordan where you're starting from. He'll tell you what's realistic, what it costs, and what to do next — calmly.