Your First Home,
Done Right.
You don't need more opinions, you need a plan. We help first-time buyers in Louisiana understand their options, get pre-approved fast, and make offers with confidence.
Start Here
First-Time Buyer, Simplified.
Buying a home for the first time can feel overwhelming, credit, down payment, monthly payment, closing costs, inspections, appraisal, underwriting. There are a lot of moving parts.
Our job is to make it simple. We help you understand your best loan options, get pre-approved, and keep the process moving from application to keys.
Because we're a mortgage broker, we shop multiple lenders to find the right fit for your situation, not just one bank's single option.
- We compare FHA, USDA, VA, and Conventional side by side
- We explain your real budget, payment plus cash-to-close
- We issue a strong pre-approval so your offers win
- We stay with you from first call all the way to closing
Which Loan Is Right for You?
| Loan Type | Down Payment | Min. Credit* |
|---|---|---|
| FHA | 3.5% | 500 to 580+ |
| USDA | 0% | Varies |
| VA | 0% | Varies |
| Conventional | 3 to 20% | ~620+ |
*Programs vary by lender and full borrower profile.
Want a Side-by-Side Loan Comparison?
We'll run the numbers on every option available for your situation, credit score, income, down payment, and the area you're buying in.
I Want to Buy a HomeFree Download
Get the 60 Day Homebuying
Game Plan, Free
A step-by-step workbook built specifically for Louisiana first-time buyers. Fill it out as you go, bring it to your lender conversations, and use it as your personal roadmap all the way to closing day.
- Income, credit & savings tracker built in
- Budget & down payment worksheets
- Pre-approval checklist so nothing is missing
- Buying team worksheet, realtor, inspector, title & more
- Closing action list all the way to keys in hand
The 60 Day
Game Plan.
Mortgages by Channing · Louisiana Homebuyers
Start Your Plan
Build Your Budget
Get Pre-Approved
Build Your Team
Shop & Make Your Offer
Close on Your Home
Choose Your Path
Which First-Time Buyer Loan Is Best for You?
Most first-time buyers qualify for more than one option. Here's the simple way to compare what each program is built for.
F
FHA Loan
Great for buyers with lower credit scores or limited savings. 3.5% down with 580+ credit.
Learn FHA
Read more0% DownU
USDA Loan
Zero down for eligible rural areas with income guidelines. Strong option if you qualify by location.
Learn USDA
Read moreVeteransV
VA Loan
For eligible veterans and service members. Often 0% down and no monthly mortgage insurance.
Learn VA
Read moreStrong CreditC
Conventional
Often best with higher credit scores. PMI cancels when you reach enough equity.
Learn Conventional
Read moreWhat You Get
The 6 Things First-Time Buyers Need Most
Most people don't need more information, they need clarity. Here's what we focus on with every first-time buyer.
Credit Clarity
We tell you what matters most for qualifying and how to avoid common credit mistakes while you shop.
Cash to Close
Down payment is only one piece. We help you plan for closing costs, reserves, and realistic totals.
Payment Planning
We estimate your full monthly payment including principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and MI if applicable.
Pre-Approval That Wins
We issue a strong pre-approval and help you understand how to make an offer that gets accepted.
Inspection & Appraisal Prep
We explain what inspectors and appraisers look for so you're not surprised mid-contract.
Proactive Communication
We keep you updated and translate mortgage language into plain English all the way to closing.
Qualifying
First-Time Buyer Requirements
Your exact requirements depend on the loan program. These are the big items that determine what you qualify for and how much home you can afford.
I Want to Buy a HomeCategory
What Matters
Credit
Score, payment history, and recent new accounts
Income
Stable history with documentation (W-2s, pay stubs)
Down Payment
Varies by program:
0% to 5%
are common options
Debt-to-Income
Monthly debts vs income, limits vary by program
Cash to Close
Down payment plus closing costs plus reserves if needed
Property
Condition and appraisal standards (especially FHA, VA, USDA)
Timeline
Pre-approval to close often
30 to 45 days
under contract
The Process
Your First Home in 4 Steps
The simple path from thinking about it to getting the keys.
Plan
We talk through your goals, budget, and what you need to qualify. You'll know your best next step.
I Want to Buy a HomeGet Pre-Approved
We review your documents and issue a pre-approval so you can shop with confidence.
I Want to Buy a HomeGo Under Contract
Once you find the home, we lock in the plan, order the appraisal, and move your file to underwriting.
I Want to Buy a HomeClose & Move In
We guide you through final numbers and coordinate closing so you know exactly what to expect.
I Want to Buy a HomeFree Homebuyer Class
Before You Tour a Single Home, Watch This First
Free · On-DemandThe Bayou Blueprint: First-Time Home Buyer Class
The Bayou Blueprint
Get a
Clear Home-Buying Plan
Before You Ever Tour a Home
The Bayou Blueprint is our free on-demand first-time buyer class that walks you through the exact steps, the mistakes to avoid, and how to get pre-approved and buy the right home with confidence.
- What to do first, before talking to a realtor or scrolling Zillow
- How to know your real budget: payment plus cash-to-close
- How to choose the right loan: FHA vs USDA vs VA vs Conventional
- The list of things that ruin approvals for first-time buyers
Prefer to talk it through? Call us and we'll tell you your best next step based on your situation.
Watch On Your Schedule
On-demand, watch at your own pace, pause and rewind anytime.
Built for First-Timers
Perfect if you're unsure about credit, down payment, or what you truly qualify for.
Clear Next Step
After watching, request a quote and we'll confirm your best loan options.
Honest Overview
First-Time Buyer Pros & Pitfalls
Most first-time buyers do great when they avoid the common mistakes. Here's the honest truth.
Pros
- Multiple low down payment options including 0% down programs
- You can often qualify sooner than you think with the right plan
- Homeownership builds equity and stability over time
- Pre-approval makes your offers stronger and more competitive
- Programs exist specifically to help first-time buyers succeed
Pitfalls to Avoid
- Focusing only on down payment and forgetting about cash-to-close
- Not budgeting for taxes, insurance, and monthly MI
- Making credit mistakes while shopping, new debt, late payments
- Choosing a home that doesn't meet the loan program requirements
- Waiting too long for pre-approval and missing the right house
Real Results
What Our Clients Are Saying
We've helped hundreds of Louisiana families buy their first home.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Unsure where to start? Request a quote and we'll point you to your best next step, no pressure.
It depends on the loan program, purchase price, and closing costs. Many buyers qualify with very low down payment options, but total cash-to-close includes more than just the down payment.
Different programs have different minimums. FHA is typically more flexible; conventional often works better with stronger credit. Request a quote and we'll tell you your best options.
Possibly. VA offers 0% down for eligible veterans. USDA offers 0% down for eligible rural areas with income guidelines. We'll help confirm your eligibility for both programs.
Pre-approval can move quickly once your documents are in. Once under contract, closings typically take 30 to 45 days depending on appraisal and underwriting timelines.
Avoid taking on new debt, opening new credit accounts, missing payments, or making large unverified deposits. We give you a simple do and don't list when you get started.
It's free and on-demand, so there's no obligation, but buyers who watch it typically show up to their first conversation with us far more prepared. It covers credit, budget, loan selection, and what to avoid.
Yes. FHA goes down to 500, and we've helped buyers across all credit profiles. We'll tell you honestly what's possible now and what would help you qualify for more down the road.
Use our eligibility quiz at mortgagesbychanning.com/quiz, no credit pull, takes under 2 minutes. Or call us directly at 337-476-2623.
The Application
Apply From Your Phone In Fifteen Minutes
You have never done this before, so here is exactly what it looks like. The whole application runs on your phone, and it reaches me the minute you submit it.
- Starts with a soft credit check, so your score is never touched
- We check which down payment assistance programs you qualify for
- Upload documents with your phone camera, no scanner needed
- You hear back from Channing, not from a call center queue
If the numbers say wait, I'll tell you that too, and then we make a plan to fix whatever is in the way.
Complete Your Application
Five short steps. Most people finish in about fifteen minutes.
- Tell us what you're looking for
- We check assistance programs
- Upload your documents
Your pre-approval letter is ready. I sent it to your email and to your agent.
Got your application. I'm reviewing it now and will call you this afternoon.
Real Closings
Real Clients.
Real Closings.
Real families we have helped get from pre-approval to keys in hand.
Find Out Where You
Actually Stand
A soft credit check tells you what you qualify for before anyone pulls hard credit. If the numbers say wait, I will tell you that too, and then we make a plan to fix whatever is in the way.
I Want to Buy a HomeMortgages by Channing · 337-476-2623 · Licensed across Louisiana · NMLS #1457759
