Buying your first home in Louisville doesn't have to feel out of reach.
I'm Ryan Brown, a REALTOR® with RE/MAX Premier Properties and a Marine Corps veteran. I've helped buyers get into their first home with as little as $0 down — and I'll walk you through exactly which programs you actually qualify for.
Find out which programs you qualify for — free, no obligation.
Leave your name and best phone number or email and I'll walk you through your options, from $0-down VA loans to KHC down payment assistance.
Submitting sends these details directly to Ryan — you'll be redirected to a confirmation page.
Programs that could get you into a home sooner than you think.
Most first-time buyers assume they need 20% down. In reality, most don't. Here's a plain-language look at what's actually available — your lender will confirm exact numbers for your situation.
VA Loans — $0 Down for Veterans
Eligible veterans and active service members can buy with no down payment and no private mortgage insurance. As a Marine Corps veteran, I've helped other veterans use this benefit the right way.
FHA Loans — as Little as 3.5% Down
FHA loans are built for first-time buyers, with more flexible credit requirements and lower down payment minimums than conventional financing.
Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) Assistance
KHC pairs an affordable first mortgage with real down payment and closing cost assistance for buyers who qualify — on top of whichever loan type fits you best.
Conventional — as Little as 3% Down
If you have solid credit and some savings, a conventional loan can mean lower long-term costs and more flexibility than government-backed options.
Your First Home
Starter Homes
"My job is to make sure you understand the deal as well as I do before you sign anything."
Straight answers, not sales pressure.
Before real estate, I spent four and a half years in the Marine Corps Infantry, including three deployments, then came home and used the GI Bill to attend the University of Louisville. I got my start rehabbing a $10,000 house, and I've closed hundreds of units since — but I still remember exactly how overwhelming a first purchase can feel.
I connect you with a lender early so you know your real numbers, walk you through every program you actually qualify for, and negotiate every offer with the same numbers-first discipline I'd use on my own money. No jargon, no pressure — just a clear plan from your first question through closing day.
What clients are saying on Zillow.
A few excerpts from my verified Zillow reviews — currently rated 5.0★ across 12 reviews.
“Ryan was very helpful and responsive in my search for a house. He spoke plainly and clearly, not pressuring me into any situation I didn't want. He listened and worked to find the perfect home for me.”
“Ryan Brown is an excellent Realtor. He listened to our concerns and answered any questions we had along the way. He worked diligently to sell our home and found us the perfect home for our family.”
“Ryan is the only realtor I will work with going forward. I've worked with other realtors in the past who were good, but once you experience a great realtor with the knowledge and capabilities Ryan exhibits, you will never settle for just good again.”
Questions first-time buyers ask before they reach out.
These are the four questions almost every first-time buyer asks first. For the full list, see the complete First-Time Home Buyer FAQ.
How much money do I actually need to buy my first home?
It depends entirely on the loan program. Conventional loans can start around 3% down, FHA around 3.5%, and VA loans can require $0 down for eligible veterans and service members. Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) also offers down payment assistance stacked on top of an eligible first mortgage. I connect every first-time buyer with a lender early so you have real numbers, not guesses, before we start touring homes.
I'm a veteran or active service member — what's different about a VA loan?
VA loans let eligible veterans and service members buy with $0 down and no private mortgage insurance, which is one of the strongest first-time buyer benefits available. As a Marine Corps veteran myself, I've walked other veterans through using this benefit the right way, from entitlement and eligibility questions to what sellers in Louisville actually expect from a VA offer.
Is down payment assistance actually available in Kentucky?
Yes. Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) runs several programs pairing an affordable first mortgage with down payment and closing cost assistance, and Louisville Metro has its own local options too. Income limits and purchase price caps vary by county and change over time, so I point clients to KHC's official site and a KHC-approved lender to confirm exactly what they qualify for.
Do I need a perfect credit score to qualify?
No. FHA loans commonly allow scores in the 580–620 range, and VA loans don't set a hard government minimum, though lenders apply their own. Conventional and KHC-assisted loans often look for 620–660 or higher. If your score isn't there yet, a good lender can usually give you a specific plan to raise it before you buy.
Educational overview only — loan programs, rates, and assistance limits change and vary by lender and county. Always confirm current numbers with a licensed lender before making financial decisions.
Let's find out what you actually qualify for.
Send a few details and I'll follow up to talk through financing options, a lender referral, and next steps — no pressure, no obligation.
Louisville, KY
Within one business day
Want the full financing breakdown first?
Read the complete First-Time Home Buyer FAQ for answers on inspections, closing costs, earnest money, and more.
Read the Full FAQ