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Helping make homeownership a reality!
Whether you’re buying your first home or building your retirement home, partnering with the right financial partner is crucial. With decades worth of expertise and in-depth knowledge of the local market, we’re more than equipped to help.
From start to finish, we’ll be with you the entire way to ensure you feel comfortable and know just what you’re getting.
New to home buying?
Buying your first home can be both exciting and extremely daunting. We’ve put together a few resources to help you understand the process and what to expect.
Guide to Home Ownership with First Citizens (PDF) Tips & Information for First-Time Home Buyers Home Buyer Education Resources
Want to contact a Home Loan Expert? Click here to find a Home Loan Advisor nearest you.
What type of loan is right for you?
Our mortgage lending staff will walk you through your options and ensure you understand the loan that’s right for you.
Jump to:
- First-Time Home Buyer Loans
- Fixed Rate Loans
- Adjustable Rate Loans
- VA Loans
- USDA Loans
- Other Real Estate Loans
- Getting Started
Home$tart Grant Money
Home$tart and Home$tart Plus are down payment and closing cost assistance programs offered by FHLB Des Moines to qualifying home buyers through First Citizens Bank.
- Home$tart participants may receive up to $5,000 in grant funds
- Home$tart Plus participants may receive up to $10,000 in grant funds
Call or stop in to any of our bank locations and ask to speak to a home loan expert for more details and to see if you qualify.
Options for First-Time Home Buyers
Both the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) and Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MFHA) offer loans designed to help assist first-time home buyers.
- Affordable, fixed-rate mortgages
- Down payment assistance
- Military Homeownership Assistance Program
You can learn more about the specific eligibility requirements on the IFA website for single-family residences in Iowa or the MFHA website for single-family residences in Minnesota.
Fixed Rate Loans
Planning on staying in one home for a long time? A fixed rate mortgage may be your best option.
- Consistency of the same interest rate for the life of your loan
- Variety of term loan options
- Protects you from interest rate increases
- Requires as little as 3-5 percent down payment depending on your specific program
- Ideal for you if you saved money for a larger down payment
Adjustable Rate Loans
Need a home, but don’t see yourself staying there for the long term? Your best option may be an adjustable rate loan.
- Your loan’s interest rate fluctuates based on market conditions
- Appealing if you’re looking for lower initial monthly payments
- Includes an interest rate cap to limit how high your interest rate can go
- Offers flexibility if you expect future income growth or if you plan to move or refinance within a few years
Veterans Affairs (VA) Loans
This loan program is designed for military veterans, active duty personnel, reservists and their spouses.
- No down payment requirement in most cases
- No monthly mortgage insurance premium
- Lower average interest rates than other loan types
- No penalty is issued if you pay your mortgage off early
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Loans
These are loans to specifically assist families in rural communities with a moderate income purchase a home.
- 100% financing potentially available
- Closings costs may be included in certain situations
- Ideal if you cannot meet down payment requirements for other loan types
Other Related Real Estate Loans
- Construction Loan- want to build your dream home? We can help arrange financing from start to finish in the building process.
- Bridge Loan- Need to move forward with a new home purchase, but your current home hasn’t sold yet? That’s where a bridge loan comes in handy.
Getting Started
We’d recommend getting pre-qualified first. It will help you understand how large of a mortgage you can afford.
You can either apply for a loan at one of our offices or directly online.
PLEASE NOTE: First Citizens Bank accepts loan applications from Iowa and Minnesota. If your property is outside of this area, please contact First Citizens Bank directly.
