Buying a home is one of the biggest milestones in life, but the paperwork, terminology and choices can quickly feel overwhelming. To help you cut through the noise, we sat down with two leaders from the mortgage team at Firefighters First Credit Union to get their honest advice, insider tips and what they wish first-time buyers knew before purchasing.
- Jess Chadwick, Director of Real Estate Lending
- Amanda Taylor, Manager of Real Estate Loan Operations
Q: What is the number one thing you wish first-time buyers knew about budgeting before they start looking at houses?
Jess: “I wish more buyers knew that a fixed-rate mortgage doesn’t mean your total monthly housing bill stays exactly the same forever. Your actual loan payment stays locked, but your local property taxes and home insurance premiums will naturally adjust over time. I always advise first-time buyers to leave a little bit of breathing room in their monthly budget so they can handle those normal annual shifts without any stress.”
“Leave a little breathing room in your budget so normal annual increases don’t create stress.”
— Jess Chadwick
Amanda: “One thing I often see is buyers assuming the 20% down payment rule is set in stone. So many people put off their home search for years because they think they need a large amount of cash to get started. There are specialized, low down payment programs out there designed specifically to help make homeownership more accessible.”
Q: From a lending and operations perspective, what is a crucial step in the process that buyers often overlook?
Jess: “Many buyers don’t realize how much power a pre-approval letter gives them. It is easy to fall in love with an open house on the weekend, but without that paperwork, you don’t actually know your true buying power. Getting pre-approved before you shop proves to sellers that you are a serious buyer who is ready to move quickly in a competitive market.”
Amanda: “On the operations side, I wish buyers knew how much time they can save just by organizing their paperwork early. The mortgage process requires a lot of documentation, like tax returns, paystubs and bank statements. When you gather these documents into a dedicated folder before you apply, it slashes days off the processing timeline and makes the whole journey incredibly smooth.”
Q: Why does working with a specialized partner like Firefighters First make such a difference for our community?
Jess: “It comes down to understanding the reality of the job. Firefighter paystubs look completely different than a typical corporate 9-to-5 paycheck. Between backsteps, overtime, shift rotations and hazard pay, traditional commercial banks often get confused by the numbers. Because we are built specifically for firefighters and their families, we know exactly how to read those paystubs and count that hard-earned income toward your buying power.”
Amanda: “Exactly. You don’t have to fit into a standard banking box. We design our loan programs around your unique lifestyle, offering programs that may allow members to put down as little as 3% without a monthly PMI requirement. Our operations team only handles our members, so we keep your best interests at heart throughout the entire process.”
Q: If you could give just one piece of final advice to a future homeowner today, what would it be?
Jess: “Build your support crew early. You wouldn’t walk onto a scene without a trusted team, and you shouldn’t navigate the housing market alone either. Work with a lender who acts as a true partner from day one.”
Amanda: “Never be afraid to ask questions. This is a learning process, and it is likely the biggest purchase of your life. Our team is here to guide you, explain the timelines clearly and help you protect your long-term budget.”
Want to connect with your home-buying crew? Connect with the mortgage team at Firefighters First Credit Union, and we can help you build a home-buying plan that fits your goals and your budget.
