First-Time Home Buyer Loans in Portsmouth, VA
You can do this — and there's more help than you think.
Work directly with Jodie Barber, a mortgage broker with 30 years of experience serving Portsmouth and all of Portsmouth City County.
Portsmouth at a glance
Home of Norfolk Naval Shipyard (actually in Portsmouth). Most affordable Hampton Roads core city (~$275K) and highest local property-tax rate (~1.24%) — a natural first-time-buyer + VA market. Great for BAH-covers-the-payment and low-to-no-down VA/FHA content.
Serving Portsmouth neighborhoods including Olde Towne, Port Norfolk, Churchland, Cradock, Cavalier Manor.
Why a first-time buyer program in Portsmouth?
Anyone buying their first home (and many repeat buyers who qualify for the same programs).
- ✦Low- and no-down-payment loan options (FHA, VA, USDA, 3%-down conventional)
- ✦Down payment assistance programs that can cover most or all of your down payment
- ✦A step-by-step plan from pre-approval to keys
- ✦Straight answers, no pressure — 'homeownership is a partnership'
Virginia Housing Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Grant — 2% of purchase price (with a Virginia Housing Conventional first mortgage) or 2.5% (with a Virginia Housing FHA first mortgage). Qualified first-time homebuyer (no ownership in past 3 years) OR repeat buyer purchasing in an Area of Economic Opportunity; must use an eligible Virginia Housing bond first mortgage (Conventional or FHA); household income within Virginia Housing DPA income limits; within sales-price/loan limits; minimum 600 credit score; borrower brings at least 1% of purchase price from own funds/eligible gift. Cannot be combined with the Plus Second Mortgage or Closing Cost Assistance Grant.
First-Time Home Buyer Loans FAQ
- How much down payment do I actually need?
- Often far less than people expect — as little as $0 (VA/USDA) or 3–3.5% (conventional/FHA), and down payment assistance can reduce that further.
- What credit score do I need to buy a house?
- There's a program for a wide range of scores. Let's look at where you are today and build a simple plan to get you approved.
“Homeownership is a partnership.” Let's talk about your first-time buyer program in Portsmouth. No pressure — just straight answers from someone who's done this for 30 years.