{"id":22708,"date":"2026-03-05T17:36:24","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T22:36:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/?p=22708"},"modified":"2026-04-07T16:42:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T20:42:44","slug":"first-time-home-buyers-va","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/blog\/first-time-home-buyers-va\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Guide: First-Time Home Buyers in VA: Programs, Grants &amp; Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"22708\" class=\"elementor elementor-22708\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2bef34a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2bef34a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-855d5dd\" data-id=\"855d5dd\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff1b92e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ff1b92e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buying your first home is a significant milestone, and if you\u2019re a resident of Virginia, you have access to some great resources that can make that journey easier. From multiple loan types and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment assistance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> options to grants and insider tips for navigating the process, there\u2019s a lot to understand, and even more to take advantage of.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2026, working with your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">real estate agent<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can give you vital details on essential programs, funding opportunities, and practical advice every <\/span><b><i>first time home buyer <\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia should know to confidently step into <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8ac7da4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"8ac7da4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\">        \n            \n            <div class=\"fit_content\">\n                <div class=\"bd_toc_container\" data-fixedWidth=\"\">\n                    <div class=\"bd_toc_wrapper\" data-wrapperPadding=\"90px\">\n                        <div class=\"bd_toc_wrapper_item\">\n                            <div class=\"bd_toc_header active\" data-headerPadding=\"2px\">\n                                <div class=\"bd_toc_header_title\">\n                                    Table of Contents                                <\/div>\n                                <div class=\"bd_toc_switcher_hide_show_icon\">\n                                    <span class=\"bd_toc_arrow\"><\/span>                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"bd_toc_content list-type-none\">\n                                <div class=\"bd_toc_content_list \">\n                                    <div class='bd_toc_content_list_item'>    <ul>\n      <li class=\"first\">\n        <a href=\"#key-takeaways-for-first-time-home-buyers-va\">Key Takeaways For First-Time Home Buyers VA<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#understanding-mortgage-options-fha-va-usda-loans\">Understanding Mortgage Options: FHA, VA, &amp; USDA Loans\n<\/a>\n        <ul class=\"menu_level_2\">\n          <li class=\"first last\">\n            <a href=\"#conventional-loans-for-first-time-home-buyers\">Conventional Loans For First-Time Home Buyers<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#va-programs-grants-unlocking-the-door-to-your-first-home\">VA Programs &amp; Grants: Unlocking the Door to Your First Home\n<\/a>\n        <ul class=\"menu_level_2\">\n          <li class=\"first last\">\n            <a href=\"#the-granting-freedom-act-aiding-veterans-in-homeownership\">The Granting Freedom Act: Aiding Veterans In Homeownership<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#conventional-loans-options-for-first-time-home-buyers-va\">Conventional Loans: Options For First-Time Home Buyers VA<\/a>\n        <ul class=\"menu_level_2\">\n          <li class=\"first\">\n            <a href=\"#navigating-virginia-housing-conventional-loans\">Navigating Virginia Housing Conventional Loans<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#fannie-mae-s-homeready-program\">Fannie Mae\u2019s HomeReady Program<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#freddie-mac-s-home-possible-program\">Freddie Mac\u2019s Home Possible Program<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li class=\"last\">\n            <a href=\"#conventional-97-loan\">Conventional 97 Loan<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#accessing-down-payment-assistance-in-virginia\">Accessing Down Payment Assistance in Virginia<\/a>\n        <ul class=\"menu_level_2\">\n          <li class=\"first\">\n            <a href=\"#down-payment-assistance-grant-options\">Down Payment Assistance Grant Options<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li class=\"last\">\n            <a href=\"#closing-the-deal-with-closing-cost-assistance\">Closing The Deal With Closing Cost Assistance<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#applying-for-a-mortgage-in-va-path-to-homeownership\">Applying For A Mortgage In VA: Path To Homeownership<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#benefits-of-buying-a-home-in-virginia-for-first-time-home-buyers\">Benefits Of Buying A Home In Virginia For First-Time Home Buyers<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#financing-your-first-home-understanding-interest-rates-loan-terms\">Financing Your First Home: Understanding Interest Rates &amp; Loan Terms<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#benefits-of-first-time-home-buyer-va-education-courses\">Benefits Of First-Time Home Buyer VA Education Courses<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#personal-story-of-a-first-time-home-buyer-va\">Personal Story Of A First-Time Home Buyer VA<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#tips-for-first-time-home-buyers-va-maximizing-your-investment\">Tips For First-Time Home Buyers VA: Maximizing Your Investment<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#navigating-the-market-for-first-time-buyers\">Navigating The Market For First-Time Buyers<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li class=\"last\">\n        <a href=\"#faq-for-first-time-home-buyers-in-virginia\">FAQ for First-Time Home Buyers in Virginia\n<\/a>\n        <ul class=\"menu_level_2\">\n          <li class=\"first\">\n            <a href=\"#who-qualifies-as-a-first-time-home-buyer-in-virginia\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWho qualifies as a first-time home buyer in Virginia?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#are-there-income-limits-for-virginia-housing-programs\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAre there income limits for Virginia Housing programs?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#what-credit-score-do-i-need-to-qualify-as-a-first-time-home-buyer-in-virginia\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat credit score do I need to qualify as a first-time home buyer in Virginia?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#what-is-the-virginia-housing-closing-cost-assistance-cca-grant\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat is the Virginia Housing Closing Cost Assistance (CCA) Grant?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#can-i-combine-a-home-loan-with-down-payment-or-closing-cost-assistance\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCan I combine a home loan with down payment or closing cost assistance?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#what-is-the-granting-freedom-act\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat is the Granting Freedom Act?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#do-i-need-to-take-a-homebuyer-education-course\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDo I need to take a homebuyer education course?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#are-usda-loans-available-in-virginia\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAre USDA loans available in Virginia?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#how-do-i-get-started-as-a-first-time-home-buyer-in-virginia\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow do I get started as a first-time home buyer in Virginia?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li class=\"last\">\n            <a href=\"#what-are-the-main-benefits-of-buying-a-home-in-virginia\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat are the main benefits of buying a home in Virginia?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n            <ul class=\"menu_level_3\">\n              <li class=\"first\">\n                <a href=\"#first-time-home-buyers-va-for-more-info\">First-Time Home Buyers VA: For More Info<\/a>\n              <\/li>\n              <li class=\"last\">\n                <a href=\"#for-expert-first-time-home-buyer-advice-contact-jake-maines-today\">For Expert First-Time Home Buyer Advice: Contact Jake Maines Today!<\/a>\n              <\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n          <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n<\/div>                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"layout_toggle_button\">\n                        <span class=\"bd_toc_arrow\"><\/span>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d40f7ae elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d40f7ae\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4da68b2\" data-id=\"4da68b2\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1589c8a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1589c8a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='key-takeaways-for-first-time-home-buyers-va'  id=\"boomdevs_1\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Key Takeaways For First-Time Home Buyers VA<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0cf31e8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0cf31e8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First-time home buyers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Virginia have a few loan types to choose from, along with some unique <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment assistance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and closing cost grants. These programs often offer specific benefits, such as zero-down payment options and federal tax credits for mortgage interest.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applicants need to have sufficient credit and income stability to qualify for the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia Housing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Down Payment and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Closing Cost Assistance programs<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Income limits<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> apply to each program, and they vary by location.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia\u2019s real estate market trends indicate an increase in <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a slight rise in home prices, and a growing number of home sales and new housing permits.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Homebuyer education courses<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offered by<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.virginiahousing.com\/Homebuyers\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia\u2019s Housing Development Authority<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can provide valuable insights into the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homebuying process<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and you can find more information about their different programs by downloading their free e-book<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">interest rates<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loan terms<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is crucial for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as these factors can significantly affect <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mortgage payments<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the overall cost of the home.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Comprehensive guidance makes the journey to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> easier for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Virginia.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Virginia, understanding how much down payment is needed is crucial. Typically, down payments range from 3% to 20%, depending on the loan type and your financial situation.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab9c524 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ab9c524\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='understanding-mortgage-options-fha-va-usda-loans'  id=\"boomdevs_2\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Understanding Mortgage Options: FHA, VA, &amp; USDA Loans\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-05ec9a7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"05ec9a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1124\" height=\"696\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/First-Time-Home-Buyer-Benefits-In-Virginia.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-30781\" alt=\"First Time Home Buyer Benefits In Virginia\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/First-Time-Home-Buyer-Benefits-In-Virginia.webp 1124w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/First-Time-Home-Buyer-Benefits-In-Virginia-300x186.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/First-Time-Home-Buyer-Benefits-In-Virginia-1024x634.webp 1024w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/First-Time-Home-Buyer-Benefits-In-Virginia-768x476.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1124px) 100vw, 1124px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1192b75 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1192b75\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the first<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/blog\/steps-to-buying-a-house\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">steps to buy a house for the first time<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is determining what type of mortgage will be best for your needs. While <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">conventional loans<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> get a lot of attention, government-backed loans such as FHA, VA, and USDA loans, can offer powerful advantages, especially if your savings or credit profile isn\u2019t perfect.<\/span><\/p><p><strong>FHA loans<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/helping-americans\/loans\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Federal Housing Administration<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> loans) are popular among first-time buyers because they\u2019re designed to be more accessible. They typically allow for lower <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit scores<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and require a smaller down payment, which is sometimes as low as 3.5%. That flexibility can make <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> possible sooner, particularly if you\u2019re still building credit or don\u2019t have a large amount saved for a down payment. However, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FHA loans<\/span> <i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">do <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">require mortgage insurance premiums, which increase the overall cost of your loan.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>VA loans<\/strong> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.benefits.va.gov\/homeloans\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Department of Veterans Affairs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> loans) are available to eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and certain surviving spouses. One of the biggest benefits is that VA loans often require no down payment and no private mortgage insurance (PMI). They also tend to offer competitive <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">interest rates<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. For those who qualify, a VA loan can be one of the most affordable paths to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>USDA loans<\/strong> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rd.usda.gov\/programs-services\/single-family-housing-programs\/single-family-housing-guaranteed-loan-program\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U.S. Department of Agriculture<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> loans) are designed to help buyers purchase homes in eligible rural and suburban areas. Like VA loans, USDA loans may offer zero down payment options and competitive rates. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Income limits<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> apply, and the property must meet location requirements, but for eligible buyers, this program can significantly reduce their upfront costs.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The right loan depends on your financial profile, location, and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">eligibility<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and exploring your options with a knowledgeable <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help you find the mortgage that aligns with your long-term goals.<\/span><\/p><h3 id='conventional-loans-for-first-time-home-buyers'  id=\"boomdevs_3\"><strong>Conventional Loans For First-Time Home Buyers<\/strong><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.virginiahousing.com\/en\/homebuyers\/home-loans\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia Housing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Conventional <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Home Loan Program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is an excellent option if you\u2019re interested in purchasing a home in the state. This <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loan program<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> allows <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in VA and repeat buyers to get a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with competitive <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">interest rates<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and reduced down payments as low as 0%, potentially with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closing cost assistance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Many standard <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">conventional loans<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> don\u2019t offer that type of down payment advantage, so choosing a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loan program<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you\u2019re eligible for can be a great way to improve your chances of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home ownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6735833 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6735833\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='va-programs-grants-unlocking-the-door-to-your-first-home'  id=\"boomdevs_4\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">VA Programs &amp; Grants: Unlocking the Door to Your First Home\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb97497 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"eb97497\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/first-time-home-buyer-va-1024x683.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-30782\" alt=\"first time home buyer va\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/first-time-home-buyer-va-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/first-time-home-buyer-va-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/first-time-home-buyer-va-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/first-time-home-buyer-va-105x70.webp 105w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/first-time-home-buyer-va.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-042b379 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"042b379\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the biggest concerns for a first-time buyer is often how to come up with a down payment. If you\u2019re in that category, you\u2019re definitely not alone in your efforts to find the right <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loan program<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and option for your home-buying journey.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/blog\/how-much-down-payment-on-a-house-do-you-need\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time buyer minimum down payment for house<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> purchasing can really vary, but there are some programs to give you increased support. The VA is one of them if you\u2019re eligible and looking for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homebuyer assistance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Veterans Administration insures mortgages for veterans and active duty military members, allowing them to put zero down and have no monthly mortgage insurance. The VA Loan is offered through different mortgage companies, and can be an excellent way for veterans and their families to access <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with little money in the bank.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in VA, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia Housing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offers a grant program to help veterans achieve <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Among these is the VA loan <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Closing Cost Assistance Program<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which provides veterans or active-duty military personnel with up to 2% of the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">purchase price<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to help cover closing costs associated with the VA Loan. Home buyers can also access <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Closing Cost Assistance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Grants from <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia Housing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the same time, the program simplifies home buying by offering low down payments on <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">conventional loans<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> without requiring mortgage insurance. There is also an option to obtain tax credits via a mortgage or a tax credit certificate, with part of your annual interest costs paid off each year. It all depends on meeting specific criteria, including completing a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homebuyer education class<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially for new buyers wanting to own a home.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These regulations are usually subject to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">household income<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> qualifications, but some are available at no cost because they don\u2019t require repayment after aid packages are accepted.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b14cf1e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b14cf1e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='the-granting-freedom-act-aiding-veterans-in-homeownership'  id=\"boomdevs_5\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Granting Freedom Act: Aiding Veterans In Homeownership<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d5496a5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d5496a5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"634\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/First-Time-Home-Buyers-In-Virginia-1024x634.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-30783\" alt=\"American Flag Aiding Veterans in Homeownership\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/First-Time-Home-Buyers-In-Virginia-1024x634.webp 1024w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/First-Time-Home-Buyers-In-Virginia-300x186.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/First-Time-Home-Buyers-In-Virginia-768x476.webp 768w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/First-Time-Home-Buyers-In-Virginia.webp 1124w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e8e9862 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e8e9862\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.virginiahousing.com\/en\/homebuyers\/military-grants\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Granting Freedom Act is a significant initiative in Virginia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to assist veterans and active-duty military personnel in achieving <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This program simplifies the process of buying a house by offering support, such as low down payments on <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">conventional loans<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> without requiring mortgage insurance. Virginia <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyer<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> grants from <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HUD<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Department of Housing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or other <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gov<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> entities can take you from only dreaming about <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home ownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to getting your keys.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To qualify for assistance under the Granting Freedom Act, you\u2019ll need to be a veteran or active-duty military personnel with a service-related disability. The disability must result from active service in the Armed Forces, and the assistance you\u2019ll receive depends on the cost of necessary disability modifications and your income.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Granting Freedom Act is a testament to Virginia\u2019s commitment to its veterans and active-duty military personnel. By providing financial assistance for necessary home modifications, the Act ensures that those who have served our country can enjoy the benefits of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in a home that meets their unique needs. If you\u2019re a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyer<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Virginia, and you qualify for this grant, it can be your path to a home you can live in safely and independently.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c089b50 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c089b50\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='conventional-loans-options-for-first-time-home-buyers-va'  id=\"boomdevs_6\"><strong>Conventional Loans: Options For First-Time Home Buyers VA<\/strong><\/h2><h3 id='navigating-virginia-housing-conventional-loans'  id=\"boomdevs_7\"><strong>Navigating Virginia Housing Conventional Loans<\/strong><\/h3><p><a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/conventional-no-mortgage-insurance.webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"960\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-25156\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/conventional-no-mortgage-insurance.webp\" alt=\"Conventional Loans For Home Buyers\" \/><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019ve worked hard to build a strong <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit score<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia Housing<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conventional Loan<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> could be a really smart option for you. One of the biggest perks is that you may be able to avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI), which is sometimes called the \u201cconventional no mortgage insurance\u201d benefit.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Normally, if you put down less than 20% on a home, you\u2019re required to pay PMI. This insurance protects the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (not you) if you default on the loan, and it adds to your monthly payment. But with this program, you could skip that extra cost altogether if you qualify. That can make a noticeable difference in what you pay each month and over the life of your loan.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This loan is especially appealing if you\u2019ve been diligent about maintaining good credit and want to take advantage of a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">conventional loan<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2019s flexibility without the added expense of mortgage insurance. With a reduced down payment requirement and the potential to avoid PMI, you may be able to keep more money in your pocket while still moving forward with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll also benefit from a fixed <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">interest rate<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which means your rate, and your principal and interest payment, won\u2019t change over time. That kind of stability makes budgeting easier and gives you peace of mind as a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeowner<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep in mind, this loan <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">must <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">be used for your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">primary residence<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It\u2019s designed to help real homebuyers like you, not investors looking to flip properties. There are also income and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">purchase price<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> limits in place to make sure the program supports <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">moderate-income<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> buyers across Virginia, based on the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">area median income<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia Housing Development Authority<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> oversees the program as part of its broader mission to promote affordable <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. And alongside other <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia Housing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> programs, you may also find down payment and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closing cost assistance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> options that make buying even more achievable.<\/span> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Virginia-Housing-Conventional-Home-Loan-Program.webp\" alt=\"Virginia Housing Conventional Home Loan Program\" \/>: 400;&#8221;&gt;Beyond this program, you\u2019ll also have other <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">conventional loan options<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to explore as a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyer<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which gives you flexibility to choose what fits your financial goals.<\/span><\/p><h3 id='fannie-mae-s-homeready-program'  id=\"boomdevs_8\"><strong>Fannie Mae\u2019s HomeReady Program<\/strong><\/h3><p><a href=\"https:\/\/singlefamily.fanniemae.com\/originating-underwriting\/mortgage-products\/homeready-mortgage\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fannie Mae\u2019s HomeReady program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is designed to help low- to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">moderate-income<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">borrowers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> become <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeowners<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The program allows for a down payment as low as 3%, reduced mortgage insurance, and flexible underwriting guidelines. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Borrowers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can cancel their private mortgage insurance once their loan balance reaches 80% of the home\u2019s value. If you\u2019re a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time homebuyer<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Virginia offers beautiful locations and valuable programs to support <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">community development<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and help buyers find homes.<\/span><\/p><h3 id='freddie-mac-s-home-possible-program'  id=\"boomdevs_9\"><strong>Freddie Mac\u2019s Home Possible Program<\/strong><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like Fannie Mae\u2019s HomeReady,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sf.freddiemac.com\/working-with-us\/origination-underwriting\/mortgage-products\/home-possible\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Freddie Mac\u2019s Home Possible program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is designed to help low- to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">moderate-income<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">borrowers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you fall into that category, the program allows for a down payment as low as 3% and doesn\u2019t require a minimum contribution from your funds. This means the entire down payment and closing costs can be funded by a gift or grant.<\/span><\/p><h3 id='conventional-97-loan'  id=\"boomdevs_10\"><strong>Conventional 97 Loan<\/strong><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/singlefamily.fanniemae.com\/originating-underwriting\/mortgage-products\/97-loan-value-options\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conventional 97 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loan program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, offered by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, allows <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, regardless of their income, to purchase a home with just a 3% down payment. The program also allows the entire down payment to be a gift from a relative or a grant from a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment assistance program<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">conventional loan options<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can make <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> more accessible for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. However, each program has specific <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">eligibility requirements<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and guidelines, so potential <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">borrowers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> need to work with a knowledgeable <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Realtor<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who can guide them through the process.<\/span><\/p><h2 id='accessing-down-payment-assistance-in-virginia'  id=\"boomdevs_11\"><strong>Accessing Down Payment Assistance in Virginia<\/strong><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Among the biggest<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/blog\/first-time-home-buying-tips\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tips for buying a house<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is finding all the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment assistance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you\u2019re eligible for. The world of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment assistance programs<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Virginia can seem like a maze, but it becomes a manageable journey with the right information and resources. Virginia offers several <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment assistance programs<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to lighten the financial burden of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home purchases<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and help you get into a home of your own.<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/down-payment-assistance.webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"902\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-23469\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/down-payment-assistance.webp\" alt=\"down payment assistance\" \/><\/a><\/p><h3 id='down-payment-assistance-grant-options'  id=\"boomdevs_12\"><strong>Down Payment Assistance Grant Options<\/strong><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One popular <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment assistance program<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.virginiahousing.com\/en\/homebuyers\/plus-second-mortgage\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia Housing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Plus Second Loan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which offers down payment and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closing cost assistance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">second mortgage<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Another option is the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dhcd.virginia.gov\/dpa\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HOMEownership<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Down Payment Assistance Program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which extends down payment and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closing cost assistance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to eligible <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in VA with low-to-<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">moderate incomes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crhava.org\/housing_information\/hop\/index.php\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chesapeake Redevelopment and Housing Authority <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Homeownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is another excellent resource, providing down payment and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closing cost assistance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Chesapeake.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nrd.gov\/resource\/detail\/14101269\/Norfolk+Redevelopment+Housing+Authority+%28NRHA%29\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Norfolk Redevelopment Housing Authority\u2019s HOME Program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offers up to $60,000 to eligible <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in VA who are purchasing in the Mermaid City \u2013 Norfolk area. It\u2019s among the most popular Virginia <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyer<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> grants.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to state-wide assistance programs, local initiatives such as the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alexandriava.gov\/housing-services\/homebuyer-resources\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alexandria Flexible <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Home Ownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Assistance Program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/housing.virginiabeach.gov\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia Beach Housing and Neighborhood Preservation\u2019s <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Homeownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> also offer support.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s also the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.virginiahousing.com\/en\/homebuyers\/down-payment-assistance-grant\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Down Payment Assistance Grant<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia Housing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is a fantastic resource for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in VA. This grant doesn\u2019t require repayment and can be a significant financial lifeline for new <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeowners<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, it\u2019s crucial to remember that these programs often have specific requirements based on factors like income level, family size, and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit score<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Most of these programs involve repayment over time using <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">second mortgages<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or deferred loans. However, some programs, like the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment assistance grant<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> mentioned above, don\u2019t require any repayment if certain conditions are met upfront.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The specifics of these programs can change, so interested applicants should check their program\u2019s website for the most up-to-date information on availability, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">eligibility<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> criteria, and application processes.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Navigating the landscape of down payment help in Virginia can be challenging, but it\u2019s more than achievable with the right resources and guidance. Remember, the goal is to make <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> achievable and sustainable, and these programs, especially the down payment grants and assistance grants, are here to help you do that and gain access to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia housing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> market.<\/span><\/p><h3 id='closing-the-deal-with-closing-cost-assistance'  id=\"boomdevs_13\"><strong>Closing The Deal With Closing Cost Assistance<\/strong><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Navigating the path to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a thrilling journey, but it can also be filled with complexities. One of the hurdles that you\u2019ll likely face as a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyer<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is closing costs. These fees need to be paid at the end of the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home-buying process<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and they can include costs for things like title insurance, appraisal, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeowners<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2019 insurance, settlement fees, and origination fees. Fortunately, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time homebuyers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Virginia can receive assistance with these costs through the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Closing Cost Assistance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Grant (CCA) offered by <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia Housing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The (CCA) <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.virginiahousing.com\/en\/homebuyers\/closing-cost-assistance-grant\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Closing Cost Assistance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Grant<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a fantastic resource that offers up to 2.5% of your home\u2019s <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">purchase price<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to help cover closing costs. The best part is that you don\u2019t have to pay it back. This grant can be a significant financial relief, helping you focus more on the excitement of your new home rather than worrying about additional costs.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To qualify for this grant, you\u2019ll need to meet minimum <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit score<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> requirements. You\u2019ll also need to complete the qualifications for a down payment program to be considered for the grant funds from the CCA Program. The grant is compatible with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conventional Loans<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FHA Loans<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, USDA Loans, and VA-backed mortgages, so it provides first-time buyers of all types with additional help to cover closing costs.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The maximum available to applicants is no more than 2.5 percent of the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">purchase price<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of their home, which can significantly reduce the initial financial burden and make <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> more attainable.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember, while this grant provides significant help, budgeting for other potential costs associated with buying a home, such as moving expenses, home repairs, and furniture, is crucial. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Homeownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a rewarding journey, and with resources like <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia Housing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2019s CCA Grant, it\u2019s a journey that\u2019s within your reach.<\/span><\/p><h2 id='applying-for-a-mortgage-in-va-path-to-homeownership'  id=\"boomdevs_14\"><b>Applying For A Mortgage In VA: <\/b>Path To Homeownership<\/h2><p><a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/payment-assistance-grant.webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1143\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-23473\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/payment-assistance-grant.webp\" alt=\"payment assistance grant\" \/><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyer<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Virginia, securing a mortgage is a crucial step in your journey toward <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This process involves getting preapproved through a local <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to see your options. They\u2019ll examine your income, credit, and assets to determine <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">eligibility<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Try to get at least two different options, including a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time homebuyer program<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Once you have a preapproval letter and an idea of your purchasing power, you can shop for a home.<\/span><\/p><h2 id='benefits-of-buying-a-home-in-virginia-for-first-time-home-buyers'  id=\"boomdevs_15\"><b>Benefits Of Buying A Home In Virginia For First-Time Home Buyers<\/b><\/h2><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/the-benefits-of-buying-a-home-in-virginia.webp\" alt=\"First home buyer couple\" \/> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buying a home in Virginia offers several advantages that set it apart from many other states, and if you\u2019re a first-time buyer, you may have access to valuable resources like down payment grants, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closing cost assistance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and potential tax benefits designed to make <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> more attainable. These programs can significantly reduce your upfront costs and help you get into a home sooner than you might expect.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While Virginia\u2019s overall cost of living is slightly above the national average, it remains competitive, especially when compared to nearby states like Maryland, New Jersey, and New York, where housing and utility expenses are often much higher. In the national landscape, Virginia tends to fall comfortably in the middle, and that means a strong balance between affordability and lifestyle.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not only that, but what you receive in return is substantial, as Virginia offers a diverse and resilient economy, highly regarded schools and universities, and a rich blend of history, culture, and natural beauty to enjoy From vibrant city centers to charming small towns and scenic mountain or coastal views, the state offers a wide range of communities to fit different lifestyles and budgets, so you can find a home you love in a location that fits your needs and goals.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For many buyers, that combination of financial support for first-time <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeowners<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, reasonable living costs compared to neighboring states, and an exceptional quality of life makes purchasing a home in Virginia a smart long-term investment.<\/span><\/p><h2 id='financing-your-first-home-understanding-interest-rates-loan-terms'  id=\"boomdevs_16\"><strong>Financing Your First Home: Understanding Interest Rates &amp; Loan Terms<\/strong><\/h2><p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/financing-your-first-home.webp\" alt=\"Financing Your First Home\" \/> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/blog\/how-much-home-can-i-afford\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much house can I afford<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?\u201d is a common question, and it all depends on your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">income limits<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit score<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, other debt, and a variety of additional factors.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyer<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it\u2019s completely normal to feel a little overwhelmed by all the talk about <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">interest rates<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loan terms<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. But once you understand the basics, you\u2019ll feel much more confident making decisions that truly fit your budget and long-term goals.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, think of your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">interest rate<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as the cost of borrowing money. It\u2019s influenced by things like the economy, inflation, and your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit score<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Even a small difference in your rate can have a big impact on your monthly payment and the total amount you pay over time. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to shop around and compare offers from different <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lenders<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A little research upfront can save you thousands over the life of your loan.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, consider your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loan term<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or how long you\u2019ll be paying off the mortgage. Common options are 15, 20, or 30 years. A longer term, like 30 years, usually means lower monthly payments, which can make <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> feel more manageable right now. A shorter term, like 15 years, typically comes with higher monthly payments but saves you money in interest over the long run. It\u2019s all about finding the right balance for your lifestyle and financial comfort.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll also choose between a fixed-rate and an adjustable-rate mortgage. A fixed-rate loan keeps your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">interest rate<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the same for the entire term, giving you steady, predictable payments, and an adjustable-rate mortgage can start lower but may change over time, which means your payment could increase or decrease later.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t forget about APR (annual percentage rate), too. This number includes not only your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">interest rate<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> but also certain fees and costs associated with the loan. It gives you a clearer picture of the true overall cost.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, you may hear about \u201cpoints.\u201d Paying points upfront (1% of your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loan amount<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> per point) can lower your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">interest rate<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you plan to stay in your home for many years, this could save you money over time.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The key is choosing a mortgage that helps you become a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeowner<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> comfortably and sustainably for the long haul, so you don\u2019t end up \u201chouse poor.\u201d<\/span><\/p><h2 id='benefits-of-first-time-home-buyer-va-education-courses'  id=\"boomdevs_17\"><strong>Benefits Of First-Time Home Buyer VA Education Courses<\/strong><\/h2><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/the-benefits-of-homebuyer-education-courses.webp\" alt=\"Benefits of Homebuyer Education Courses\" \/> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are some <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time homebuyer<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> benefits in Virginia you\u2019ll want to take advantage of, and one of those is comprehensively understanding the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home-buying process<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by attending a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homebuyer education course<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> hosted by the state\u2019s Housing Development Authority. These courses benefit anyone considering purchasing a property, as they cover all aspects of acquiring it, including locating, financing, taxes, title insurance, and HOA expenses.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll gain an understanding of lawyer and title costs and prepayment options while learning how to make an informed decision throughout every step of the process. These <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homebuyer education courses<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are a valuable resource for first-time buyers like you, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to navigate the housing market confidently.<\/span><\/p><h2 id='personal-story-of-a-first-time-home-buyer-va'  id=\"boomdevs_18\"><strong>Personal Story Of A First-Time Home Buyer VA<\/strong><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Realtor<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Virginia Beach<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it has been a privilege to assist my clients in finding the best home suitable for their preferences. One delighted individual expressed his contentment with how I devoted attention and applied my vast understanding of local housing market conditions instead of looking out for what they wanted.<\/span> <strong>\u201c<i>Buying our first house was definitely a stressful idea! But working with Jake made everything so much easier! He is such a down to earth guy and always answered any questions and helped us through the process without complaints! We know we can be difficult and picky and Jake made sure to keep everything in mind when helping us look for a house! I\u2019m not even sure how many houses we dragged him too to look at and how many times we said nope not this one, but he stuck with us! He answers calls and texts at almost any time of the day! Thank you Jake for being such a great <\/i><i>realtor<\/i><i>! Definitely recommend!\u201d \u2013 Tessa KeAla<\/i><\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My other customers\u2019 reports also serve as sources of assurance and motivation as you pursue your ambition for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home ownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This reinforces why choosing wisely is vital in selecting the right partner <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Realtor<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who can help you realize this goal effectively.<\/span><\/p><h2 id='tips-for-first-time-home-buyers-va-maximizing-your-investment'  id=\"boomdevs_19\"><strong>Tips For First-Time Home Buyers VA: Maximizing Your Investment<\/strong><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buying your first home in Virginia is an exciting milestone, and a big one, too. As you step into the process, making thoughtful, informed decisions will help you feel confident and in control every step of the way.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It can be tempting to fall in love with a home and jump right in, but starting with a mortgage preapproval is one of the smartest moves you can make. Knowing exactly what price range fits comfortably within your budget helps you shop with clarity and avoid unnecessary stress. It also shows sellers you\u2019re serious and ready to move forward.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can set yourself up for success by preparing in advance, through building your savings for a down payment and closing costs, reviewing your budget to understand what you can truly afford each month, and improving your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit score<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> if needed, all of which can make a meaningful difference. Even small steps like paying down debt or avoiding new credit inquiries can strengthen your financial profile before you start house hunting.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s also helpful to explore the different <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loan options<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> available to you. From <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">conventional loans<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to FHA, VA, or USDA programs, there may be solutions that better fit your situation. And don\u2019t forget there are often grants and assistance programs specifically designed to support <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Virginia.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The more informed you are, the smoother the journey will feel, and taking the time to prepare now can help ensure that when you do find \u201cthe one,\u201d you\u2019re ready to move forward with confidence and peace of mind.<\/span><\/p><h2 id='navigating-the-market-for-first-time-buyers'  id=\"boomdevs_20\"><strong>Navigating The Market For First-Time Buyers<\/strong><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First-time home buyers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in a variety of<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/virginia-beach-neighborhoods\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia Beach Neighborhoods<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have options and a range of homes to consider. Various factors, including demographic changes, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">interest rate<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> availability, economic growth, and local market factors such as supply constraints, influence these movements.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s essential to be well-informed about current trends when you\u2019re making real estate decisions. Understanding these trends can help you navigate the market more effectively. For instance, the median age of a first-time buyer in Virginia is on the rise, and the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.whsv.com\/2025\/11\/06\/median-age-first-time-homebuyers-is-now-40-years-old-record-high\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">median age across the country<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is now 40. Additionally, the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> rate in Virginia continues to decline, likely due to affordability challenges in some regional housing markets.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By being aware of these trends and available programs, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Virginia can make more informed decisions and utilize resources and assistance tailored to their needs. If you\u2019re looking to buy, now could be the right time, and a trusted <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Realtor<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8cba0e2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8cba0e2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c69e311\" data-id=\"c69e311\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ec2dd1 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"4ec2dd1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ca1239 elementor-author-box--layout-image-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-author-box\" data-id=\"9ca1239\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"author-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/author\/jake\/\" class=\"elementor-author-box__avatar\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Jake-Maines-Virginia-Beach-Realtor-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Picture of Jake Maines, Virginia Beach Realtor\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/author\/jake\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 id='jake-maines-virginia-beach-realtor'  id=\"boomdevs_21\" class=\"elementor-author-box__name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJake Maines, Virginia Beach Realtor\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box__bio\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Jake Maines is a Virginia Beach Realtor known  for his market knowledge and exceptional client service. His real estate journey, beginning in 2020, showcases a successful transition from marketing to realty and investing, marked by a passion for helping clients find their dream homes. Recognized as one of Inside Business 40 Under 40 and ranking in the top 8% of Hampton Roads Realtors in his first year, Jake's accolades affirm his expertise. A member of NAR and HRRA, he upholds the highest ethical standards. Community involvement and continuous professional development make him a trusted, authoritative Virginia Beach real estate expert.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-author-box__button elementor-button elementor-size-xs\" href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/about\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d3cf6ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"d3cf6ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-01d1e35 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"01d1e35\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeIn&quot;,&quot;_animation_delay&quot;:&quot;100&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='faq-for-first-time-home-buyers-in-virginia'  id=\"boomdevs_22\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">FAQ for First-Time Home Buyers in Virginia\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e8194d4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"e8194d4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='who-qualifies-as-a-first-time-home-buyer-in-virginia'  id=\"boomdevs_23\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-2431\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2431\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Who qualifies as a first-time home buyer in Virginia?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2431\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2431\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In most cases, a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time homebuyer<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Virginia is someone who has not owned a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">primary residence<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the past 3 years. However, some <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia Housing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> programs may have specific definitions and exceptions. Even repeat buyers may qualify for certain programs depending on income and loan type.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='are-there-income-limits-for-virginia-housing-programs'  id=\"boomdevs_24\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-2432\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2432\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Are there income limits for Virginia Housing programs?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2432\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2432\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia Housing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> down payment and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closing cost assistance programs<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">income limits<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> based on <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">household size<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and location. These limits are designed to ensure assistance goes to buyers who need it most.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='what-credit-score-do-i-need-to-qualify-as-a-first-time-home-buyer-in-virginia'  id=\"boomdevs_25\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-2433\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2433\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What credit score do I need to qualify as a first-time home buyer in Virginia?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2433\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2433\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Credit score<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> requirements vary by loan type and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FHA loans<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may allow lower <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit scores<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, while <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">conventional loans<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> typically require higher scores. VA loans are flexible, but <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lenders<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> still set minimum credit requirements. Talking with a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the best way to determine your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">eligibility<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='what-is-the-virginia-housing-closing-cost-assistance-cca-grant'  id=\"boomdevs_26\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-2434\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2434\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What is the Virginia Housing Closing Cost Assistance (CCA) Grant?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2434\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2434\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The CCA Grant can provide up to 2% to 2.5% of a home\u2019s <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">purchase price<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to help cover closing costs. In many cases, this grant doesn\u2019t need to be repaid, provided program requirements are met.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='can-i-combine-a-home-loan-with-down-payment-or-closing-cost-assistance'  id=\"boomdevs_27\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-2435\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2435\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Can I combine a home loan with down payment or closing cost assistance?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2435\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2435\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes! In many cases, home loans can be paired with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia Housing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> assistance programs to help reduce upfront expenses like closing costs, making <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> more accessible.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='what-is-the-granting-freedom-act'  id=\"boomdevs_28\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-2436\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2436\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What is the Granting Freedom Act?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2436\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2436\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Granting Freedom Act is a Virginia initiative that helps eligible veterans and active-duty service members with service-related disabilities modify their homes for accessibility, such as installing ramps or widening doorways.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='do-i-need-to-take-a-home-buyer-education-course'  id=\"boomdevs_29\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-2437\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2437\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Do I need to take a home buyer education course?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2437\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2437\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia Housing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> programs require completion of a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home buyer education course<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These courses help buyers understand financing, budgeting, closing costs, and the responsibilities of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='are-usda-loans-available-in-virginia'  id=\"boomdevs_30\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-2438\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"8\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2438\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Are USDA loans available in Virginia?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2438\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"8\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2438\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, USDA loans are available in eligible rural areas of Virginia and offer 0% down financing for qualified buyers who meet income and location requirements.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='how-do-i-get-started-as-a-first-time-home-buyer-in-virginia'  id=\"boomdevs_31\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-2439\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"9\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2439\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How do I get started as a first-time home buyer in Virginia?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2439\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"9\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2439\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first step is to get preapproved with a local <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who understands <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia Housing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> programs and loan options. From there, you can determine your budget, explore assistance options, and begin shopping for a home with confidence.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='what-are-the-main-benefits-of-buying-a-home-in-virginia'  id=\"boomdevs_32\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-24310\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"10\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-24310\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What are the main benefits of buying a home in Virginia?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-24310\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"10\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-24310\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia offers a strong economy, competitive housing programs, quality schools, and vibrant communities. Combined with state-level assistance programs and federal <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loan options<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it provides meaningful opportunities for first-time buyers.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1dbf769 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1dbf769\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6fd3e57\" data-id=\"6fd3e57\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-23fcdea elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"23fcdea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 id='first-time-home-buyers-va-for-more-info'  id=\"boomdevs_33\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-xxl\">First-Time Home Buyers VA: For More Info<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d8d18c elementor-align-center elementor-widget__width-initial fw-form elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"2d8d18c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-md\" href=\"tel:(757)%20453-3730\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Call Jake<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e6a707d elementor-align-center elementor-widget__width-initial fw-form elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"e6a707d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-md\" href=\"\/contact\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Email Jake<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-08e30dc elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"08e30dc\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-be7df82\" data-id=\"be7df82\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dc404ad elementor-align-center elementor-widget__width-initial fw-form first-cta elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"dc404ad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-md\" href=\"tel:(757)%20453-3730\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Call Jake<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7a0b303\" data-id=\"7a0b303\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4bf42fd elementor-align-center elementor-widget__width-initial fw-form elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"4bf42fd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-md\" href=\"\/contact\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Email Jake<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ac9d5f9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ac9d5f9\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-cfe016d\" data-id=\"cfe016d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db176ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"db176ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 id='for-expert-first-time-home-buyer-advice-contact-jake-maines-today'  id=\"boomdevs_34\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">For Expert First-Time Home Buyer Advice: Contact Jake Maines Today!<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b654b34 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"b654b34\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f8c45b2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"f8c45b2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\nvar 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76, 229;--gf-color-primary-contrast: #fff;--gf-color-primary-contrast-rgb: 255, 255, 255;--gf-color-primary-darker: #001AB3;--gf-color-primary-lighter: #527EFF;--gf-color-secondary: #fff;--gf-color-secondary-rgb: 255, 255, 255;--gf-color-secondary-contrast: #112337;--gf-color-secondary-contrast-rgb: 17, 35, 55;--gf-color-secondary-darker: #F5F5F5;--gf-color-secondary-lighter: #FFFFFF;--gf-color-out-ctrl-light: rgba(17, 35, 55, 0.1);--gf-color-out-ctrl-light-rgb: 17, 35, 55;--gf-color-out-ctrl-light-darker: rgba(104, 110, 119, 0.35);--gf-color-out-ctrl-light-lighter: #F5F5F5;--gf-color-out-ctrl-dark: #585e6a;--gf-color-out-ctrl-dark-rgb: 88, 94, 106;--gf-color-out-ctrl-dark-darker: #112337;--gf-color-out-ctrl-dark-lighter: rgba(17, 35, 55, 0.65);--gf-color-in-ctrl: #fff;--gf-color-in-ctrl-rgb: 255, 255, 255;--gf-color-in-ctrl-contrast: #112337;--gf-color-in-ctrl-contrast-rgb: 17, 35, 55;--gf-color-in-ctrl-darker: #F5F5F5;--gf-color-in-ctrl-lighter: #FFFFFF;--gf-color-in-ctrl-primary: 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4.70711C7.31658 5.09763 6.68342 5.09763 6.29289 4.70711L4 2.41421L1.70711 4.70711C1.31658 5.09763 0.683417 5.09763 0.292893 4.70711C-0.0976311 4.31658 -0.097631 3.68342 0.292893 3.29289L3.29289 0.292893C3.48043 0.105357 3.73478 0 4 0ZM0.292893 9.29289C0.683417 8.90237 1.31658 8.90237 1.70711 9.29289L4 11.5858L6.29289 9.29289C6.68342 8.90237 7.31658 8.90237 7.70711 9.29289C8.09763 9.68342 8.09763 10.3166 7.70711 10.7071L4.70711 13.7071C4.31658 14.0976 3.68342 14.0976 3.29289 13.7071L0.292893 10.7071C-0.0976311 10.3166 -0.0976311 9.68342 0.292893 9.29289Z' fill='rgba(17, 35, 55, 0.65)'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\");--gf-icon-ctrl-select: url(\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg width='10' height='6' viewBox='0 0 10 6' fill='none' xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%3E%3Cpath fill-rule='evenodd' clip-rule='evenodd' d='M0.292893 0.292893C0.683417 -0.097631 1.31658 -0.097631 1.70711 0.292893L5 3.58579L8.29289 0.292893C8.68342 -0.0976311 9.31658 -0.0976311 9.70711 0.292893C10.0976 0.683417 10.0976 1.31658 9.70711 1.70711L5.70711 5.70711C5.31658 6.09763 4.68342 6.09763 4.29289 5.70711L0.292893 1.70711C-0.0976311 1.31658 -0.0976311 0.683418 0.292893 0.292893Z' fill='rgba(17, 35, 55, 0.65)'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\");--gf-icon-ctrl-search: url(\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg width='640' height='640' xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%3E%3Cpath d='M256 128c-70.692 0-128 57.308-128 128 0 70.691 57.308 128 128 128 70.691 0 128-57.309 128-128 0-70.692-57.309-128-128-128zM64 256c0-106.039 85.961-192 192-192s192 85.961 192 192c0 41.466-13.146 79.863-35.498 111.248l154.125 154.125c12.496 12.496 12.496 32.758 0 45.254s-32.758 12.496-45.254 0L367.248 412.502C335.862 434.854 297.467 448 256 448c-106.039 0-192-85.962-192-192z' fill='rgba(17, 35, 55, 0.65)'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\");--gf-label-space-y-secondary: var(--gf-label-space-y-md-secondary);--gf-ctrl-border-color: #686e77;--gf-ctrl-size: var(--gf-ctrl-size-md);--gf-ctrl-label-color-primary: #112337;--gf-ctrl-label-color-secondary: #112337;--gf-ctrl-choice-size: var(--gf-ctrl-choice-size-md);--gf-ctrl-checkbox-check-size: var(--gf-ctrl-checkbox-check-size-md);--gf-ctrl-radio-check-size: var(--gf-ctrl-radio-check-size-md);--gf-ctrl-btn-font-size: var(--gf-ctrl-btn-font-size-md);--gf-ctrl-btn-padding-x: var(--gf-ctrl-btn-padding-x-md);--gf-ctrl-btn-size: var(--gf-ctrl-btn-size-md);--gf-ctrl-btn-border-color-secondary: #686e77;--gf-ctrl-file-btn-bg-color-hover: #EBEBEB;--gf-field-img-choice-size: var(--gf-field-img-choice-size-md);--gf-field-img-choice-card-space: var(--gf-field-img-choice-card-space-md);--gf-field-img-choice-check-ind-size: var(--gf-field-img-choice-check-ind-size-md);--gf-field-img-choice-check-ind-icon-size: var(--gf-field-img-choice-check-ind-icon-size-md);--gf-field-pg-steps-number-color: rgba(17, 35, 55, 0.8);}<\/style>\n                        <div class='gform_heading'>\n                            <p class='gform_description'><\/p>\n                        <\/div><form method='post' enctype='multipart\/form-data'  id='gform_1'  action='\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22708' data-formid='1' novalidate>\n                        <div class='gform-body gform_body'><div id='gform_fields_1' class='gform_fields top_label form_sublabel_above description_above validation_below'><div id=\"field_1_17\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-honeypot gform_validation_container field_sublabel_above gfield--has-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_1_17'>Instagram<\/label><div class='gfield_description' id='gfield_description_1_17'>This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.<\/div><div class='ginput_container'><input name='input_17' id='input_1_17' type='text' value='' autocomplete='new-password'\/><\/div><\/div><fieldset id=\"field_1_1\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-name gfield--input-type-name gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_hidden_label gfield--no-description field_description_above hidden_label field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><legend class='gfield_label gform-field-label gfield_label_before_complex' >Name<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/legend><div class='ginput_complex ginput_container ginput_container--name no_prefix has_first_name no_middle_name no_last_name no_suffix gf_name_has_1 ginput_container_name gform-grid-row' id='input_1_1'>\n                            \n                            <span id='input_1_1_3_container' class='name_first gform-grid-col gform-grid-col--size-auto' >\n                                                    <input type='text' name='input_1.3' id='input_1_1_3' value=''   aria-required='true'   placeholder='Your Name' autocomplete=\"given-name\" \/>\n                                                    <label for='input_1_1_3' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-sub hidden_sub_label screen-reader-text'>First<\/label>\n                                                <\/span>\n                            \n                            \n                            \n                        <\/div><\/fieldset><div id=\"field_1_2\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-email gfield--input-type-email gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above hidden_label field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_1_2'>Email<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_email'>\n                            <input name='input_2' id='input_1_2' type='email' value='' class='large'   placeholder='Your Email' aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"  \/>\n                        <\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_4\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-phone gfield--input-type-phone gfield--width-full gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above hidden_label field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_1_4'>Phone<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_phone'><input name='input_4' id='input_1_4' type='tel' value='' class='large'  placeholder='Your Phone' aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_3\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-textarea gfield--input-type-textarea gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above hidden_label field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_1_3'>Message<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_textarea'><textarea name='input_3' id='input_1_3' class='textarea medium'    placeholder='Your Message' aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   rows='10' cols='50'><\/textarea><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_6\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gform_hidden field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_6' id='input_1_6' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_8\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gform_hidden field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_hidden\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_8' id='input_1_8' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_9\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gform_hidden field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_hidden\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_9' id='input_1_9' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_10\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gform_hidden field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_hidden\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_10' id='input_1_10' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_11\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gform_hidden field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_hidden\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_11' id='input_1_11' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_12\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gform_hidden field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_hidden\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_12' id='input_1_12' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_13\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gform_hidden field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_hidden\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_13' id='input_1_13' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_14\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gform_hidden field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_hidden\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_14' id='input_1_14' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_15\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gform_hidden field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_hidden\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_15' id='input_1_15' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_16\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gform_hidden field_sublabel_above gfield--no-description 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the scroll by 50 milliseconds to fix a bug in chrome *\/  }, 50 );if(window['gformInitDatepicker']) {gformInitDatepicker();}if(window['gformInitPriceFields']) {gformInitPriceFields();}var current_page = jQuery('#gform_source_page_number_1').val();gformInitSpinner( 1, 'https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/plugins\/gravityforms\/images\/spinner.svg', false );jQuery(document).trigger('gform_page_loaded', [1, current_page]);window['gf_submitting_1'] = false;}else if(!is_redirect){var confirmation_content = jQuery(this).contents().find('.GF_AJAX_POSTBACK').html();if(!confirmation_content){confirmation_content = contents;}jQuery('#gform_wrapper_1').replaceWith(confirmation_content);jQuery(document).trigger('gform_confirmation_loaded', [1]);window['gf_submitting_1'] = false;wp.a11y.speak(jQuery('#gform_confirmation_message_1').text());}else{jQuery('#gform_1').append(contents);if(window['gformRedirect']) {gformRedirect();}}jQuery(document).trigger(\"gform_pre_post_render\", [{ formId: \"1\", currentPage: \"current_page\", abort: function() { this.preventDefault(); } }]);        if (event && event.defaultPrevented) {                return;        }        const gformWrapperDiv = document.getElementById( \"gform_wrapper_1\" );        if ( gformWrapperDiv ) {            const visibilitySpan = document.createElement( \"span\" );            visibilitySpan.id = \"gform_visibility_test_1\";            gformWrapperDiv.insertAdjacentElement( \"afterend\", visibilitySpan );        }        const visibilityTestDiv = document.getElementById( \"gform_visibility_test_1\" );        let postRenderFired = false;        function triggerPostRender() {            if ( postRenderFired ) {                return;            }            postRenderFired = true;            gform.core.triggerPostRenderEvents( 1, current_page );            if ( visibilityTestDiv ) {                visibilityTestDiv.parentNode.removeChild( visibilityTestDiv );            }        }        function 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Look no further. As a trusted Virginia Beach Realtor, I offer services for experienced investors and those buying their first home. My specialty is supporting the entire process of purchasing and selling <a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/homes-for-sale-virginia-beach\/\">Virginia Beach Homes For Sale<\/a> while providing helpful advice.<\/p><p>I\u2019m here to help first-time home buyers every step of the way through the process. This guide has discussed numerous topics, from understanding different programs and grants available for purchasing your initial house to learning about various mortgages and real estate trends to acquiring knowledge on maximizing investment returns when buying property.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Explore first-time home buyer programs in Virginia, including grants, loan options, and down payment assistance available to help you buy with confidence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":23488,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[122],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-22708","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-first-time-home-buyers"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22708","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22708"}],"version-history":[{"count":52,"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22708\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32416,"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22708\/revisions\/32416"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23488"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22708"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22708"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22708"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}