Sarah first showed them the . It was the most common route, backed by private lenders rather than the government. "If you have a solid credit score and a bit of a nest egg," Sarah explained, "this is often the cleanest way to go. You don’t always need 20% down anymore; some programs allow for as little as 3%." The Helping Hand: FHA Loans
"And what about that massive estate on the hill?" Maya joked. Sarah laughed. "That’s territory. When the price of a home exceeds 'conforming' limits set by the government, you need a different kind of engine to fund it—usually requiring a much higher credit score and a bigger down payment." The Happy Ending mortgage loans programs
"We have the savings," Leo sighed, looking at his phone, "but is it enough for a 20% down payment?" Sarah first showed them the
As they talked, Sarah noticed Leo’s keychain—a small brass eagle. "Are you a veteran?" she asked. When Leo nodded, her face lit up. "Then we should look at the . It’s one of the best thank-yous the country offers. Usually, it requires zero down payment and has no private mortgage insurance." You don’t always need 20% down anymore; some