helping turn homeownership dreams into reality

Helping First-Time Buyers Get Started

The Home$tart Grant provides an opportunity for qualified first-time homebuyers to move forward on their homeownership journey with added financial support.

Home$tart Grant

What is the Home$tart Grant?

The Home$tart Grant* is a down payment and closing cost assistance program offered through a partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. The program provides eligible first-time homebuyers with up to $15,000 to help reduce the upfront costs of purchasing a home.

How Much Assistance is Available?

Qualified borrowers may receive up to $15,000 in grant assistance to help cover eligible down payment and closing costs, making homeownership more affordable.

Are Funds Limited?

Yes. Funding is limited and released on a quarterly basis. Once the available funds for a quarter have been exhausted, the program closes until the next funding cycle begins.

Who Qualifies?

To be eligible for the Home$tart Grant, applicants must:

  • Be a first-time homebuyer
  • Have a household income at or below 80% of the area median income where the home is being purchased
  • Complete a first-time homebuyer education course
  • Qualify for mortgage financing through an approved lender

Getting Started

Connect with one of our mortgage loan originators below to learn more about the Home$tart Grant, explore available homebuying resources, and determine if you qualify for assistance.

Meet Our Lenders

Ask us about residential, commercial, land, and construction lending.
Wherever the road takes you, our lenders are here to lend a helping hand.

Central Region

Lisa Wolken Headshot
Lisa Wolken
VP of Loan Originations
NMLS#673312

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Mark Kalaf headshot
Mark Kalaf
Mortgage Loan Originator
NMLS #2491142

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McKenzie Daly
Mortgage Loan Originator
NMLS #2663593

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Katherine Roberts
Mortgage Loan Originator
NMLS#303464

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Cory Kliethermes
Mortgage Loan Originator
NMLS #269682

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Brandon Barns Headshot
Brandon Barnes
Director of Real Estate
Sales & Strategy
NMLS #2049079

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Southern Region

Reba Whitley Headshot
Reba Whitley
Mortgage Loan Originator
NMLS #2118954

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Marcus Yokeley
Marcus Yokeley
Mortgage Loan Originator
NMLS #2008486

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Frequently Asked Questions

Getting prequalified or preapproved for a mortgage comes with big benefits. First, you’ll know exactly what you can comfortably afford, making your home search more focused. Second, preapproval can give you a competitive edge when it’s time to make an offer. 

How much you should save for a down payment depends on the type of loan you choose, your financial situation, and your goals.
 
Many people aim for 20% of the home’s purchase price because it can help you avoid paying private mortgage insurance (PMI) and may get you better loan terms. But you don’t always need that much—some conventional loans require as little as 3–5% down, and FHA loans can go as low as 3.5%. VA and USDA loans may not require a down payment at all if you qualify. 

When deciding how much to save, think about how the down payment will affect your monthly payment, interest costs, and savings cushion after closing. You want to be prepared for not just the purchase, but also the ongoing costs of homeownership like maintenance, repairs, and property taxes. 

When figuring out how much home you can comfortably afford, look at the full picture. Start with your income, monthly expenses, savings, potential down payment, current interest rates, and home prices.

Just as important, consider what you feel comfortable paying each month. Factor in not only your mortgage but also everyday costs like transportation, groceries, utilities, entertainment, and clothing. Write it all down, compare what’s coming in to what’s going out, and see where you stand.

Our Mortgage Calculator can help you get a clear estimate of what’s within reach. 

PMI, or private mortgage insurance, applies to conventional loans and protects the lender if you stop making payments and default. It typically costs around 1% of your loan balance each year and is added to your monthly mortgage payment. Once your balance drops to 80% of the original loan amount, you can ask your lender to remove it.

Your credit score is a key factor in whether you qualify for a loan, the type of loan you can get, and the interest rate you’ll pay. Lenders use it to gauge risk—higher scores often mean better rates, but you can still get approved for a mortgage even if your score isn’t perfect.

Before applying, review your credit report to ensure everything is correct. If you spot errors, address them right away—fixing issues can take time. Work with the credit bureaus, provide any needed documentation, and focus on improving your score by paying bills on time and keeping your accounts in good standing.

Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) can be a great fit for unique situations. Because we underwrite and service our ARMs locally, we can offer flexible options that may not fit traditional secondary-market guidelines. This means we can often help borrowers with non-standard properties, higher loan amounts, or short-term plans — all while keeping decisions right here at the credit union.

When you apply for a mortgage, your lender will need several documents to verify your finances. Be ready with at least three months of pay stubs, W-2s, tax returns, bank statements, and any investment or brokerage account information. Your lender will give you a full list so you can gather everything in advance. Sending documents promptly helps keep the process moving smoothly. 

Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) measures how much of your gross monthly income goes toward monthly debts—like your estimated mortgage, credit cards, student loans, and car payments. To calculate it, divide your total monthly debt payments by your gross monthly income, then convert it to a percentage.

Most lenders prefer a DTI of 43% or lower, though some loan programs allow higher ratios. Your lender can help you figure out your DTI and explore which loan options fit your situation. 

*Offer subject to program availability and funding. Funds are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Eligibility requirements apply, and not all applicants will qualify. Program terms, conditions, and availability are subject to change without notice and may be discontinued at any time.