Your Alabama First Home
Local Pro's Make
It Yours!

Sarah and Mike, a young Alabama couple with a combined income of $99,500—just under the USDA max of $112,450.9 (Jan 2025) They dreamed of a rural Cherokee County home close to Yellow Creek Falls, but had little saved beyond a small down payment and their emergency savings. Our local mortgage team showed them USDA’s zero-down magic, outshining national players like Rocket Mortgage. With no down payment, they moved in and had enough savings left to add a porch without touching their emergency fund account—something a 3% down HomeReady couldn’t stretch to. “Local know-how saved us thousands and made our dream home a reality", they said.

First-Time Buyer Programs Tailored for Alabama

USDA Loans:

Zero down, rural-ready—perfect for Cherokee or Cullman County, and virtually all of Alabama. We are rich in rural eligible properties.

Income cap: $112,450 for 1-4 people. The Johnsons’ $99,500 fit right in.

VA Loans:

Zero down for Alabama’s military families—Rocket City or Magic City, no PMI. Our very favorite lending program since our 1st VA loan in 1992. 

Conventional Options include:

Home Possible (Freddie Mac):

3% down, flexible credit—great for urban Magic City or suburban Baldwin.

HomeReady (Fannie Mae):

3% down, income-friendly—ideal if USDA’s cap doesn’t fit.

**Quick Comparison: USDA (0% down, rural) vs. VA (0%, military) vs. Home Possible/HomeReady (3%, broader areas). USDA’s zero-down edge shines for cash-tight buyers but only works with eligible PROPERTIES. Conventional fills the gap and is often the best choice if the client has saved and planned for a down payment. 

We have down payment assistance available as well. FHA has been a great 1st time borrowing option historically. We'll help you find your best option among many.

Find your best fit mortgage option fast—call  256-New-Loan   or

Apply Now

On a conventional mortgage, when your down payment is less than 20% of the purchase price of the home mortgage lenders usually require you get Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) to protect them in case you default on your mortgage. Sometimes you may need to pay up to 1-year's worth of PMI premiums at closing which can cost several hundred dollars. The best way to avoid this extra expense is to make a 20% down payment, or ask about other loan program options.

Everyone’s a first-time buyer just once—so we make it smooth. Our team handles the details for a stress-free closing, and we connect you with trusted Alabama realty partners. From USDA in Cherokee County to HomeReady in Magic City, we’ve got you covered—statewide expertise, local care.  

An Appraisal is an estimate of a property's fair market value. It's a document generally required (depending on the loan program) by a lender before loan approval to ensure that the mortgage loan amount is not more than the value of the property. The Appraisal is performed by an "Appraiser" typically a state-licensed professional who is trained to render expert opinions concerning property values, its location, amenities, and physical conditions.