YOUR FIRST HOME
IS CLOSER
THAN YOU THINK.
With as little as 3.5% down and flexible credit guidelines, an FHA loan could put keys in your hand sooner than you imagined. No pressure. No jargon. Just real answers.
Takes 2 minutes · No credit impact · No obligation
NEVER FEEL
STUPID FOR
ASKING...
Buying your first home shouldn't feel like translating a foreign language. I'm Linda Murray, and for over 15 years I've made it my mission to walk first-time buyers through every step — patiently, clearly, and without the industry jargon.
I'll tell you exactly what to expect, what to watch out for, and what a smart move looks like for your situation. No pressure. No surprises. Just a guide who's been there 500+ times before.
FHA ISN'T A FALLBACK.
IT'S A STRATEGY.
Over 1.5 million Americans use FHA financing every year — including plenty who could qualify for conventional but choose FHA for the lower down payment and flexibility. Here's why it might be the smartest move you make.
JUST 3.5% DOWN
On a $300,000 home, that's $10,500 — not $60,000. Keep your savings for emergencies, furniture, and the unexpected.
580 FICO FRIENDLY
Credit not perfect yet? FHA accepts scores as low as 580 with 3.5% down. Some lenders go even lower with 10% down.
GIFT FUNDS OK
Your entire down payment can come from a gift — parents, family, employer. Many first-timers wouldn't make it without this.
COMPETITIVE RATES
FHA rates are often equal to — or better than — conventional rates. The government backs the loan, lenders take less risk, you win.
ASSUMABLE LOANS
When you sell, the next buyer can take over your low rate. That's a massive selling advantage if rates rise.
FLEXIBLE DTI
Higher debt-to-income limits than conventional loans mean more buying power for buyers carrying student loans or a car payment.
FROM
"WHERE DO
I START?"
TO KEYS
IN HAND.
You don't need a finance degree to buy a home. You need someone to break it down into clear, doable steps. Here's exactly what happens, in plain English — no surprises, no jargon, no pressure.
QUICK CHECK
Fill out a 2-minute form. I'll get a snapshot of where you stand — income, savings, credit range. No credit pull yet.
REAL TALK CALL
We'll chat for 15-20 minutes. I'll walk you through your options, answer every question, and show you what's actually possible.
PRE-APPROVAL
Get your pre-approval letter — your golden ticket. Now you can shop with confidence and sellers will take you seriously.
CLOSING DAY
Sign the papers. Get the keys. Take the photo on the porch. I'll be there with you every step of the way until then.
FHA EXPLAINED IN PLAIN ENGLISH.
A 90-second walkthrough of how an FHA loan actually works, what mortgage insurance means, and the questions every first-time buyer should be asking.
FHA Loans Explained for First-Time Buyers
Linda Murray · loanDepot
WHAT COULD
YOUR PAYMENT
LOOK LIKE?
Play with the numbers. Adjust home price, down payment, and term. See instantly what fits your budget — no signup, no email, no commitment.
THEY WERE
NERVOUS TOO.
Every one of these families started exactly where you are right now — overwhelmed, full of questions, unsure if they were "ready." Here's what happened next.
"We thought we needed 20% down and were saving forever. Linda showed us FHA in our first call. Six weeks later we closed on our first house in Yarmouth with $11K down. She answered every text, every question, no matter how dumb we thought it was."
"I'm a single mom and my credit was 612. Three other lenders told me to come back in a year. Linda said let's see what we can do today. She walked me through fixing two old items and got me pre-approved at 640. Closed on a 3-bedroom in Brunswick."
"Linda never made me feel stupid. I asked the same question about escrow probably four times and every time she explained it differently until I got it. Closed in 19 days. The whole process honestly felt easier than renewing a lease."
SEE WHAT
YOU QUALIFY
FOR — IN
2 MINUTES.
A handful of quick questions. No credit pull. No phone calls until you want one. Just clear answers about what's possible for you right now.
QUESTIONS
EVERY FIRST-TIMER
ASKS.
Do I really only need 3.5% down?
Yes — that's the FHA minimum if your credit score is 580 or higher. On a $300,000 home, that's $10,500 instead of the $60,000 you'd need for 20% down. And the down payment can come from a gift (parents, family, employer) — it doesn't all have to come from your savings.
My credit isn't great. Am I wasting your time?
Absolutely not. FHA is built for buyers whose credit is still being rebuilt — scores as low as 580 qualify for 3.5% down, and 500-579 may qualify with 10% down. Even if you're not quite there yet, I'll show you exactly what to fix and a realistic timeline. No judgment.
What's the catch with FHA? What's the downside?
The honest answer: FHA loans carry mortgage insurance for the life of the loan (in most cases). It's the trade-off for the lower down payment. For many first-timers, that monthly cost is well worth getting into a home now versus saving for several more years. I'll show you the actual numbers so you can decide if it makes sense for you.
How long does this whole thing actually take?
From pre-qualification to keys in hand, most FHA purchases take 30–45 days once you have an accepted offer. Pre-qualification itself takes minutes. The pace really depends on you — how quickly you find a home, how fast we get documents, and how the appraisal lines up. I'll keep you ahead of every deadline.
Can I use gift money for the down payment?
Yes — 100% of your FHA down payment and closing costs can come from a gift. Parents, grandparents, siblings, employers, even certain down payment assistance programs all qualify. We just need a simple gift letter confirming it's not a loan. This is one of the biggest reasons FHA works so well for first-time buyers.
What if I have student loans or other debt?
Student loans don't automatically disqualify you — far from it. FHA looks at your overall debt-to-income ratio, and there are specific calculation rules for income-driven repayment plans that often work in your favor. Send me your numbers and I'll show you exactly where you stand. Most first-timers are surprised by how much they actually qualify for.
Do I have to use loanDepot for the loan after pre-qualifying?
Not at all. Pre-qualification is your information — what you do with it is entirely up to you. My goal is to give you clarity and a real plan. If we end up working together because it's the right fit, great. If not, you still walk away knowing exactly where you stand.
CREDENTIALS
THAT BACK
THE PROMISE.
LINDA MURRAY · NMLS #1469206
Every licensed loan consultant has a public NMLS record. Look me up on the NMLS Consumer Access database any time — license status, employment history, and disciplinary record (there is none) are all public.
FIRST KEYS.
REAL FAMILIES.
PROVEN RESULTS.
into homes
minimum
to clear-to-close
score accepted
"We thought we'd be renting for another five years. Linda walked us through FHA, helped us use a gift from my mom for the down payment, and we closed on a place in Brunswick six weeks later. She answered every dumb question I had — and I had a lot."
"My credit was 612 and I'd been told 'no' by two other lenders. Linda didn't blink. She showed me three small things to fix, got me prequalified the next week, and I closed on my first house in Lewiston before the summer ended."
"We had student loans, a baby on the way, and zero clue where to start. Linda made the whole FHA process feel like a conversation, not an interrogation. Closed in Freeport with 3.5% down and a payment we can actually afford. She's the real deal."
