First-Time Home Buyer Loans in Tacoma, WA
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 Tacoma and all of Pierce County.
Tacoma at a glance
JBLM-adjacent Pierce County seat; heaviest VA + first-time demand in the South Sound. Pierce carries the elevated $1,063,750 conforming/FHA limit. Anchor city for the Phase-1 VA build.
Serving Tacoma neighborhoods including North End, Proctor, Stadium District, Old Town, Hilltop, South Tacoma.
Why a first-time buyer program in Tacoma?
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'
WSHFC Home Advantage (DPA) — Up to 5% of the first-mortgage amount. Pair with a Home Advantage first mortgage; ~620 min FICO; homebuyer education required; not limited to first-time buyers; income limits up to $180,000 in King/Pierce/Snohomish (lower in other counties). A needs-based option offers up to $10,000 at 1% interest, deferred 30 years.
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 Tacoma. No pressure — just straight answers from someone who's done this for 30 years.