A Comprehensive Guide for First-Gen Families Navigating

Buying a home for the first time can be intimidating, especially if no one in your family has ever done it before. This guide is designed to help you navigate the process with confidence.

Find a Housing Counselor

Housing counselors offer unbiased advice and can help you understand your options, budget, and credit. They're essential for first-generation homebuyers.

National resource: every housing counselor listed on HUD's directory has met the same federal approval standard, regardless of what state you're in. Search HUD's national counselor directory.

Take a Homebuyer Education Course

These courses provide in-depth knowledge of the homebuying process. Many lenders require them, and they can help you make informed decisions.

Explore State Grants and Assistance Programs

Grants can help with down payments, closing costs, and more. Browse the state-by-state approved lenders directory and our County and City Homebuyer Assistance Hub to explore real programs.

State-specific: unlike counseling and education, assistance dollars are state- and sometimes city-specific -- what's available in Texas is unrelated to what's available in Ohio. Use the eligibility filter below to narrow to your state.

First-Time vs. First-Generation Homebuyer

A first-time homebuyer generally hasn't owned a primary residence in the past three years -- a status defined by lenders and most assistance programs. A first-generation homebuyer is a different concept: no parent or guardian has owned a home the buyer could have inherited or learned from. The two aren't mutually exclusive, and being first-generation matters because it often means fewer family resources for a down payment and less firsthand guidance -- some newer assistance programs specifically recognize first-generation status alongside or instead of first-time status.

What to ask a lender

• Does this program consider first-generation status, or only first-time buyer status?
• Are there programs specifically for buyers without family homeownership history?
• What documentation would I need to prove first-generation status?

First Steps in Homebuying

1. Check your credit and budget.
2. Get preapproved for a mortgage.
3. Start searching for homes within your budget.
4. Make an offer on a property.
5. Get the property inspected.
6. Close on the home.

Information in this guide is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial or legal advice. Always consult with a professional before making important decisions.

Your Next Steps

Find a housing counselor
Reassurance: this is a free, federally approved service -- there's no cost and no obligation to use a specific lender.

Take a homebuyer course
Reassurance: most courses take just a few hours and often unlock lower rates or extra assistance eligibility.

Check programs in your state
Reassurance: many programs don't require repayment, and eligibility is broader than most buyers assume.