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Henderson & Las Vegas Specialists Since 2003

Your First Home
Starts Here.
We'll Walk You Through Every Step.

Down payment assistance programs up to $10,500 — most buyers don't know they exist
FHA loans from 3.5% down — you may be closer to buying than you think
Clear buyer's-agent fee, agreed up front — often paid by the seller or builder
We've closed 585+ homes since 2015 — we know exactly what to expect
585+ Homes Closed
23+ Years Serving Henderson & LV
5-Star Reviewed

Claim Your Free Strategy Call

Takes 30 seconds. No pressure. Our first-time buyer specialist will call you within one business day.

🔒 Private & secure. No spam. No pressure. We'll call within one business day.

Secure
5-Star
(702) 509-1446
$0
Minimum Down (USDA & VA Eligible)
3.5%
FHA Minimum Down Payment
$10,500
Max NV Down Payment Assistance
585+
Homes Closed Since 2015
How It Works

Your First Home in Five Clear Steps

Buying your first home doesn't have to feel overwhelming. Here's exactly what happens — from your first conversation with us to the day we hand you the keys.

1
Free Strategy Call
We talk for 20–30 minutes about your goals, timeline, income, and any concerns. Zero pressure. By the end, you'll know exactly what's possible for your situation.
2
Pre-Approval & Programs
We connect you with a trusted local lender, get you pre-approved, and review every down payment assistance program you qualify for. Know your real number before you look at a single home.
3
Community & Home Search
We match your lifestyle, commute, and budget to the right Henderson or Las Vegas community. New construction or resale — we know both markets and show you the full picture before you decide.
4
Offer & Negotiation
When you find the right home, we write a competitive offer and negotiate on your behalf — price, repairs, seller credits, and closing costs. You never negotiate alone against a professional seller.
5
Close & Move In
We're with you through inspection, appraisal, and closing day. When you sign the last page, we hand you the keys. Most closings take 30–45 days from accepted offer.
Affordability Calculator

Find Out What You Can Actually Afford

Enter your income and current debts — our calculator uses real underwriting math to estimate your maximum home price, monthly payment, and how much you'll need for a down payment.

Before taxes. Include all earners in the household.
Car loans, student loans, credit card minimums. Not rent.
Higher score = lower rate = more buying power.
How much you have saved for a down payment today.
We'll show you what 5 years of renting really costs.

Estimates only. Rates, taxes, and insurance will vary. Consult a licensed lender for official figures. Based on 43% max back-end DTI and ~1.4% annual NV property tax + insurance.

Nevada Down Payment Assistance

Programs Most First-Time Buyers Never Hear About

Nevada and Clark County offer multiple assistance programs that can cover part — or all — of your down payment. Here's what's available right now and who qualifies.

Nevada Housing Division

Home Is Possible (HIP)

Up to $10,500 Grant

Nevada's flagship first-time buyer program offers a non-repayable grant for down payment and closing costs. Paired with below-market interest rates, it's the most powerful tool available to Nevada first-time buyers.

No repayment required — it's a true grant, not a second loan
Works with FHA or conventional loans at participating lenders
Income limits apply (typically $105K–$135K depending on household size)
Purchase price limit: $548,250 in Clark County
Clark County Program

Clark County Down Payment Assistance

Up to $10,000 Available

Clark County's own down payment assistance program helps qualified buyers in unincorporated areas — including parts of Henderson and the Las Vegas Valley — bridge the gap to homeownership.

Deferred, forgivable loan structure — typically forgiven after a holding period
Must be used in eligible unincorporated Clark County areas
Income limits apply — designed for moderate-income buyers
Can be stacked with Nevada state programs in some cases
FHA — Federal Program

FHA Loan — The First-Timer's Foundation

Only 3.5% Down Required

FHA-insured loans are the most commonly used mortgage for first-time buyers nationally. More flexible credit standards, lower down payment requirements, and predictable guidelines make this the go-to starting point.

3.5% down with 580+ credit score — that's $14,000 on a $400K home
10% down accepted with credit scores as low as 500
Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) required — factors into total payment
Gift funds allowed for the down payment from family members
USDA & VA — Zero Down

Zero Down Payment Options

$0 Down — If You Qualify

Two powerful programs allow eligible buyers to purchase a home with absolutely no down payment. VA loans serve military families; USDA loans apply to eligible rural and semi-rural properties.

VA loan: $0 down for eligible veterans, active duty, and surviving spouses — no PMI ever
Parts of Henderson and Boulder City may qualify for USDA zero-down eligibility
VA loans: no loan limit for full entitlement buyers in 2026
Nellis AFB families — we handle VA loans regularly and know the nuances
Why Nevada Desert Realty

We Work For You. Not the Builder. Not the Seller.

There's no shortage of agents in Henderson and Las Vegas. Here's what actually separates the ones who get you into the right home at the right price from the ones who just show you what's available.

We Know the Incentive Stacks Builders Don't Advertise

At every new construction community in Henderson and Las Vegas, there are closing cost credits, rate buydown programs, and upgrade packages that never appear on the builder's standard price sheet. We know what to ask for — and how to ask. As your buyer's rep, we negotiate the full package, not just the price.

We Tell You the Honest Truth About Every Home You See

Our job isn't to sell you a home. Our job is to make sure you buy the right home. That means telling you when a neighborhood is overpriced, when a floor plan doesn't work for your lifestyle, and when the model home upgrades aren't worth the premium. We have no financial incentive to rush you into a purchase that isn't right.

23+ Years of Local Knowledge — Every Corridor, Every Community

We've helped buyers in Summerlin, Henderson, Green Valley, Anthem, Cadence, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, and communities that no longer exist. That history matters — we know which neighborhoods hold value, which master plans deliver on their promises, and which areas have the school districts and commutes that match your life, not just your wishlist.

Common First-Time Buyer Questions

The Questions Every First-Time Buyer Asks

We hear these questions on almost every first call. Here are the honest answers — no jargon, no sales spin.

The short answer: less than you think. FHA loans require just 3.5% down with a 580+ credit score — on a $400,000 home, that's $14,000. Conventional loans now start at 3–5% down. And Nevada's Home Is Possible program offers grants up to $10,500 that can cover part or all of your down payment, meaning some buyers close with very little out-of-pocket. USDA and VA loans require zero down payment for eligible buyers and properties. Use our calculator above to see your specific scenario.
FHA loans accept scores as low as 580 with 3.5% down, or as low as 500 with 10% down. Conventional loans typically require 620+, with noticeably better rates at 680+. The good news: every point above 620 meaningfully lowers your interest rate, which directly affects your monthly payment and how much home you can afford. If your score is below 620, we'll connect you with a lender who specializes in credit coaching to get you ready within 3–6 months.
Home Is Possible (HIP) is Nevada Housing Division's flagship first-time buyer program offering a grant — not a loan — of up to $10,500 for down payment and/or closing costs. It pairs with FHA or conventional loans at participating lenders and comes with a below-market interest rate. Most buyers earning under $105,000–$135,000 household income (depending on household size) qualify, and the purchase price limit is $548,250 in Clark County. It's the most powerful tool available to Nevada first-time buyers, and most buyers we work with qualify. We'll walk you through this in detail on your free strategy call.
Pre-qualification is a rough estimate based on information you provide — it takes 5 minutes and means almost nothing to a seller. Pre-approval is a formal review of your actual income documents, bank statements, tax returns, and credit — it results in a commitment letter from the lender. In Henderson and Las Vegas, you should never make an offer without a full pre-approval letter. Sellers routinely reject offers that come with pre-qualification only. We connect you with trusted lenders who complete true pre-approvals, not pre-qualification theater.
Usually very little, and often nothing out of pocket. Your fee is set in a written buyer agreement before we tour. In many resales the seller agrees to pay some or all of it, and new-home builders commonly pay the buyer's-agent fee whether or not you bring an agent. Without representation, that money simply stays with the builder, whose sales team already works for them. We negotiate for seller or builder payment and show you any balance before you sign. Register with us before your first builder model home visit — once you sign the builder's registration card as unrepresented, it can be difficult to add an agent afterward.
From first call to closing day, the typical process runs 60 to 90 days — sometimes faster. Here's the rough breakdown: 1–2 weeks to get pre-approved and nail down your search criteria. 2–6 weeks searching for the right home (depends heavily on inventory and how specific your criteria are). 30–45 days from accepted offer to closing (for lender underwriting, inspection, and title work). New construction timelines vary significantly — some quick move-in homes close in 30 days; to-be-built homes can take 5–9 months.
Closing costs in Nevada typically run 2–3% of the purchase price — on a $400,000 home, that's $8,000–$12,000 covering lender fees, title insurance, escrow/title company fees, recording fees, prepaid items (first year homeowner's insurance, property tax reserves), and HOA fees if applicable. Here's the good news: we negotiate closing cost contributions from sellers or builder incentives on almost every transaction. Many first-time buyers end up paying far less than the 2–3% estimate. Your lender will provide a Loan Estimate within 3 business days of your application showing a detailed breakdown.
Both are great options — the right answer depends on your situation. New construction advantages: builder incentives (closing costs, rate buydowns, upgrades), warranty coverage, modern floor plans, and no competition from other buyers on that specific home. Resale advantages: established neighborhoods with known character, often lower price per square foot, faster move-in, and more negotiating leverage. In Henderson and Las Vegas in 2026, we're actively showing buyers both options side by side so they can see the actual dollar difference. The results often surprise people — sometimes the new construction deal is actually better value, sometimes not.
PMI stands for Private Mortgage Insurance — a monthly premium lenders require when your down payment is less than 20% on a conventional loan. It typically runs 0.5–1.5% of your loan amount annually (roughly $150–$450/month on a $360,000 loan). On an FHA loan, it's called MIP (Mortgage Insurance Premium) and works slightly differently — it's baked into the loan for the life of the loan unless you put down 10%+. You can avoid PMI with 20% down, or have it removed from a conventional loan once you reach 20% equity. Many of our buyers use a lender-paid PMI option that slightly raises the rate but eliminates the monthly premium — we'll run the numbers for your specific situation.
Real First-Time Buyers, Real Outcomes

What Our First-Time Buyers Say

★★★★★

We had no idea about the Home Is Possible program. Michael walked us through every option before we even looked at our first house. We ended up closing with almost $9,000 in assistance and kept our savings intact. We never felt pushed or rushed — just genuinely guided.

Jessica & Ryan M.
First home in Henderson • Closed 2025
★★★★★

As a Nellis AFB family, we've bought homes in four states. This team made the VA loan process in Henderson the smoothest we've ever experienced. They knew every form, every timeline, and every pitfall before we hit them. Keys in 31 days from offer.

Captain C. & Kiara L.
VA loan • North Las Vegas • Closed 2025
★★★★★

I was renting for 9 years and convinced I couldn't afford to buy in this market. After one call with Anna, I realized I was wrong. My credit score was good enough for FHA, I qualified for assistance, and I closed on a townhome in Cadence 8 weeks later. Stop waiting — call these people.

Danielle T.
FHA + DPA • Cadence, Henderson • Closed 2024
Connect with a First-Time Buyer Specialist

Ready to Stop Renting?
Let's Build Your Plan.

Every month you rent instead of own, you're building someone else's equity. The average Henderson renter spends $22,000+ per year with nothing to show for it at the end. Tell us where you are, and we'll show you exactly what it takes to change that — even if you thought you weren't ready.

We'll review every down payment assistance program you qualify for — most buyers we work with qualify for at least one they didn't know existed
We'll run a side-by-side of what you can buy today vs. waiting 12 months — in most scenarios, waiting costs more than starting now
If you're not ready yet, we'll tell you exactly what to do over the next 3–6 months to get there — and we'll still be here when you are
Our fee is agreed in writing up front, and sellers or builders often cover it — full professional representation from offer to keys
(702) 509-1446
info@nevadadesertrealty.com
Henderson, NV 89002

Tell Us About Your Situation

The more you share, the more targeted help we can give you on our first call — typically 20–30 minutes, at no cost and with zero obligation.

No spam. No pressure. A first-time buyer specialist will follow up within one business day. Call us anytime at (702) 509-1446.