First-Time Home Buyer in St. Louis
A plain-English guide to buying your first home in the St. Louis area: what you actually need to qualify, how little you may need down, and the local rules that catch first-timers off guard.
How much do you really need to put down?
You almost certainly need less than you think. Conventional loans go as low as 3% down, FHA loans 3.5%, and VA and USDA loans 0% for those who qualify. Putting less than 20% down adds private mortgage insurance (PMI) on a conventional loan, which drops off once you reach 20% equity. Want to see the trade-off in dollars? Run it in the down-payment calculator.
Make your first offer stand out
First-time buyers often lose to buyers with more cash, but a strong, verified pre-approval levels the field. For qualified buyers, our $5,000 Seller Guarantee tells the seller your financing will close, and can put your offer ahead of a higher one. See how the guarantee works.
What it takes to qualify
Lenders look at three things: your credit, your debt-to-income ratio, and your down payment plus reserves. You do not need perfect credit or a huge salary — you need a clear picture of your numbers. The fastest way to get that picture is a real pre-approval. Curious what your budget reaches across the metro first? Explore the affordability map.
Compare communities before you fall for one
Prices, property taxes, and even local occupancy-inspection rules change from one St. Louis suburb to the next. Our neighborhood guides lay out the real numbers for 55 communities so you can compare on facts, not guesswork.
Buying your first home in St. Louis?
Sean will walk you through the programs you qualify for, your down payment, and your real numbers — no pressure, no jargon.
