Buying your first home?
Get a no down payment mortgage with the First-Time Homebuyer Program!⁵
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Your homebuying journey is about you. The way you finance it should be too.
Apply nowConventional fixed-rate | Jumbo | Adjustable rate (ARM) | |
Recommended for | Buyers who prefer the stability of a fixed monthly payment and plan to stay in their homes long-term. | Buyers looking for a loan that exceeds the borrowing limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. | Buyers who expect to sell the property after a relatively short amount of time and would like to take advantage of lower rates during the initial period. |
Down payment | Typically a minimum of 3-5%; less than 20% will add private mortgage insurance (PMI) costs to your monthly payments. | More likely to require a larger percentage – usually 10-20%; less than 20% will add private mortgage insurance (PMI) costs to your monthly payments. | Typically a minimum of 3-5%; less than 20% will add private mortgage insurance (PMI) costs to your monthly payments. |
Interest rate | Could be more competitive than jumbo loans due to lower risk. | Typically available with a fixed or adjustable rate; potentially higher rates due to increased risk. | Typically has a lower introductory rate for a fixed period, then adjusts on a regular basis. |
Term options | 15 or 30 years. | 15 or 30 years. | 5/6: Fixed interest for 5 years, then adjusts every 6 months 7/6: Fixed interest for 7 years, then adjusts every 6 months. |
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What’s the down payment required to buy a home?
In most cases, lenders will offer low down payment options with as little as 3% to 5% down for conventional financing and 3.5% down for FHA loans. Some lenders, such as Desert Financial, even offer first-time homebuyer programs that don’t require a down payment.5
Who pays the real estate agent fees when buying a home?
Generally, the seller pays the commission earned by the buyer’s agent. Therefore, if you’re the homebuyer, you typically don’t pay for your agent’s commission.
What’s the difference between a conforming conventional loan and a jumbo loan?
While the processes for conforming conventional and jumbo loans are quite similar, there are typically stricter guidelines for jumbo loans because of their high amounts. Those guidelines might relate to loan-to-value, cash reserves, credit score requirements and more. It’s also important to note that not all lenders can offer jumbo loans. Credit unions are known for having great jumbo options.
1
Annual Percentage Rate (APR) shown effective {current-date} and is subject to change without notice. Visit our rates page for additional rate information and details. Mortgage loans are offered by Define Mortgage Solutions, LLC, NMLS ID #1761612, BK#0949053, a subsidiary of Desert Financial Credit Union.
2
Participation in the Real Estate Broker Program is voluntary. Desert Financial Credit Union and its subsidiary Define Mortgage Solutions LLC do not receive any benefit, monetary or otherwise, from the Participating Broker under this program. Participating Brokers are non-affiliated third parties of Define Mortgage Solutions LLC and Define Mortgage Solutions LLC makes no warranties or representations about the service provided by the Participating Brokers. To participate in this program, the member does not have to finance the mortgage loan with Define Mortgage Solutions LLC. Amount of credit will vary and is based on 25% of the buyer’s agent’s commission up to a maximum of $5,000. For full program details, see the Real Estate Broker Program Notice. Mortgage loans are offered by Define Mortgage Solutions, LLC, NMLS ID #1761612, BK#0949053, a subsidiary of Desert Financial Credit Union.
4
Closing Guarantee Program: Eligible borrowers financing the purchase of a new home with Define Mortgage Solutions will receive monetary compensation of $100 per day, up to a maximum of $500, when the scheduled closing date is not met. Eligible borrowers who are members of Desert Financial Credit Union will receive program credit by means of a credit to their Desert Financial Membership Savings account, all others will receive credit in the form of a check, post-closing.
Eligibility: Borrowers must provide all requested supporting documentation needed to make a loan decision and signed disclosures prior to purchase contract acceptance; and must provide a fully executed purchase contract including all pages, addendums and required signatures to be eligible for the Closing Guarantee. The Closing Guarantee does not apply in any of the following circumstances: (1)Home refinance loans; (2) Buyer or seller initiated changes to the original closing date documented in the purchase contract agreement; (3) Delays caused by third party service providers other than those required by Define Mortgage Solutions; (4) Buyer or seller failure to meet contract terms and requirements, including seller-related delays; (5) FHA, VA, or USDA loans, or any loan relying on a down-payment assistance program; and (6) Loans for properties outside of Maricopa or Pinal Counties. Define Mortgage Solutions reserves the right to amend or terminate the Closing Guarantee Program at any time without prior notice.
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Must be a first-time homebuyer (not having owned a primary residence in the last three years) with a minimum credit score of 680 to be eligible. Property must be located in Arizona. Jumbo loans and loans with non-occupant co-borrowers are ineligible. Additional restrictions and eligibility requirements apply