← All episodes · Episode 2
10:11 · Published August 8, 2026
The most common first-time-buyer misconceptions about down payment requirements in 2026, walked through with real numbers. FHA at 3.5 percent, conventional at 5 percent, VA and USDA at 0 percent for eligible borrowers.
How seller concessions can offset closing costs. Historical context on mortgage rates and why the current 6.5 percent range is closer to the long-term average than most first-time buyers realize.
The full article with all the numbers, comparison tables, sources, and Teresa's direct guidance is at homesintriadnc.com/blog/complete-first-time-home-buyer-loan-guide-triad-nc-2026-fha-va-usda-conventional-anchor.