A first purchase with a lot of questions — Tanner was patient with every one of them and made sure she understood each step before moving on.
Olivia H. · Kansas City, KSFirst-time buyer
First-time buyers
You're not behind. You're just early.
Nobody teaches this stuff. So here's the whole first-home playbook for Kansas City — the myths, the six steps, the state help most buyers never hear about — from a lender who answers texts.
is it dumb that I don't even know where to start?
Not dumb — it's the normal starting point. Step one is a 15-minute conversation, and I'll do most of the talking. Let's go. 🙌
Six myths, busted
The stuff your uncle told you at Thanksgiving
You need 20% down.
The truth: Conventional loans start at 3% down for qualified first-time buyers, FHA at 3.5%, and VA and USDA at $0. Twenty percent just means no mortgage insurance — it was never the price of admission.
Your credit has to be perfect.
The truth: Plenty of programs work in the 600s. What matters more is the story behind the score — and there are usually a few cheap, fast ways to improve it before you apply. Tanner will tell you which ones.
You should wait for rates to drop.
The truth: Nobody can time rates — not Tanner, not the news. Buy when the payment works for your life; if rates fall later, a refinance is a phone call away. If they rise, you're glad you didn't wait.
Getting pre-approved will hurt your credit.
The truth: One mortgage credit pull is a small, temporary dip, and multiple mortgage inquiries within a short window count as one. Not knowing your numbers is far more expensive than a few points.
Find the house first, then figure out financing.
The truth: Backwards. In Kansas City, a listing agent wants to see a real pre-approval with your offer. Get the numbers first, then shop with confidence — and with leverage.
Student loans disqualify you.
The truth: They're just a monthly payment in your debt-to-income ratio, and different programs count them differently (FHA and conventional don't even use the same math). Tanner runs both.
The six steps
From "hey Tanner" to keys in hand
- 1
The conversation
Fifteen minutes, by text or phone. Where you want to live, what you earn, what you've saved, what you're nervous about. No documents yet.
- 2
Pre-approval
Documents in through Fairway's secure portal, credit pulled once, numbers actually underwritten. You get a letter agents respect.
- 3
The real budget
Not what you're approved for — what you're comfortable with. Tanner shows you the payment on real houses at real prices, both sides of State Line.
- 4
Shop
Your agent finds the house; Tanner backs the offer with a same-day updated letter and, when it helps, a call to the listing agent.
- 5
Under contract
Appraisal, inspection, underwriting. Cam keeps every condition moving and tells you exactly what's left — you'll never wonder.
- 6
Clear to close
Final numbers reviewed together three days before closing. Closing day is signatures and keys. Then a gift shows up at your door.
Kansas & Missouri assistance
Two states, two sets of down payment help
Kansas: Kansas Housing Resources Corporation runs first-time homebuyer assistance that can cover a portion of your down payment and closing costs for qualified buyers within income and price limits.
Missouri: The Missouri Housing Development Commission's First Place and Next Step programs pair an affordable first mortgage with assistance toward down payment and closing costs, for qualified buyers.
Assistance is generally structured as a second loan that may be forgivable or deferred — not a grant, never "free money." Income and purchase-price limits apply and change without notice. Tanner checks current eligibility for your county.
How assistance works →I make decent money but I have like $4k saved. Am I wasting my time?
Absolutely not. That's exactly the buyer these state programs exist for. Tell me your county and household income and I'll tell you what you'd qualify for. 📲
Real clients, real reviews
Five stars.4.96 across 978 verified reviews
Across Experience.com & Google — real Kansas City buyers, verified after closing.
Helpful, informative and quick to respond; whenever something came up, Tanner calmly explained what was happening, what was needed and what came next.
Jeffory P. · Overland Park, KSPurchase
Clear, proactive, friendly communication from Tanner and the team — the whole process was smooth and streamlined.
Justin R. · Overland Park, KSPurchase
So much easier than expected. Questions answered fast, and the document upload app made the paperwork simple.
Brandy K. · Shawnee, KSPurchase
Worked with Cam on the file — always quick to respond and had answers for every question.
Cameron H. · Bonner Springs, KSWorked with Cam
Efficient and communicative from start to finish.
Tracy S. · Blue Springs, MOMissouri side
Made buying a home about as easy as it can be — and the thoughtful gift afterward was a nice touch.
Casey R. · Kansas CityPurchase
A first purchase with a lot of questions — Tanner was patient with every one of them and made sure she understood each step before moving on.
Olivia H. · Kansas City, KSFirst-time buyer
Helpful, informative and quick to respond; whenever something came up, Tanner calmly explained what was happening, what was needed and what came next.
Jeffory P. · Overland Park, KSPurchase
Clear, proactive, friendly communication from Tanner and the team — the whole process was smooth and streamlined.
Justin R. · Overland Park, KSPurchase
So much easier than expected. Questions answered fast, and the document upload app made the paperwork simple.
Brandy K. · Shawnee, KSPurchase
Worked with Cam on the file — always quick to respond and had answers for every question.
Cameron H. · Bonner Springs, KSWorked with Cam
Efficient and communicative from start to finish.
Tracy S. · Blue Springs, MOMissouri side
Made buying a home about as easy as it can be — and the thoughtful gift afterward was a nice touch.
Casey R. · Kansas CityPurchase
Money questions
The five questions every first-time buyer asks
How much money do I actually need to buy a first home in Kansas City?
Less than most people think. Between low-down-payment programs (3%–3.5%), seller-paid closing costs, gift funds from family, and Kansas or Missouri down payment assistance for qualified buyers, many first-time buyers in the metro close with a few thousand dollars of their own cash — sometimes less. Tanner maps out every source before you start shopping.
What credit score do I need?
FHA guidelines allow scores in the 580s with 3.5% down; conventional programs generally start around 620, with better pricing as scores rise. If you're below that, Tanner can usually give you a short, specific plan to get there.
Does it matter if I buy on the Kansas or Missouri side?
For the mortgage itself, no — Tanner is licensed in both states. For your budget, yes: property tax rates, assistance programs, and closing customs differ. Tanner runs the same house on both sides so you can compare apples to apples.
What are closing costs and who pays them?
Typically 2%–3% of the price for things like appraisal, title, recording and prepaid taxes and insurance. In many Kansas City transactions the seller contributes toward them, and lender credits can cover more. You see every line on a Loan Estimate before you commit.
How long does it take to close?
Thirty days from contract to keys is typical, and faster is often possible when a deal needs it. The pre-approval work up front is what makes the back half boring.
Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation is not affiliated with, or acting on behalf of or at the direction of, FHA, VA, USDA, or any government agency.
Ready for step one?
It's a text. That's genuinely all step one is. Tanner will take it from there — and you'll never feel dumb for asking anything.