First-Time Buyer Hub
First-time buyers are Tennyson's ideal clients. He has walked hundreds of them through their first closing, and the two questions that come up every time are the same: how much house can I afford, and how do I handle the down payment? This hub answers both, with real numbers and real programs.
Affordability
The monthly payment is the number that matters, not the listing price. Here is the math Tennyson runs with every first-time buyer.
28%
Housing Payment Cap
Keep your total monthly housing cost, principal, interest, taxes and insurance, at or below 28% of gross monthly income.
36%
Total Debt Cap
All debt payments, including the new mortgage, should stay at or below 36% of gross income so the payment does not crowd out your life.
3-5%
Typical Down Payment
Conventional loans often start at 3% to 5% down, FHA at 3.5%, and VA loans at zero. Assistance programs can cover much of it.
Work backward from the payment
A $350,000 home is not a $350,000 decision. Taxes and insurance in Metro Atlanta can add several hundred dollars a month on top of the mortgage. Tennyson runs the full PITI math, including HOA dues and what down payment assistance changes, so you shop inside a range you can actually live with.
Read: How Much House Can I Afford?Down Payment Assistance
Down payment assistance is the single most underused tool for first-time buyers in Georgia. These are the programs Tennyson's clients actually use.
Georgia Dream
$10K
Up to $10,000 in down payment assistance as a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage with no monthly payments. Repaid when you sell, refinance or pay off the first loan.
Peach Plus
3.5-4%
Open to repeat buyers too. Standard option covers 3.5% of the price or up to $10,000. The PEN/CHOICE option for educators, nurses, protectors and active military covers 4% or up to $12,500.
Atlanta Housing
$20K
Up to $20,000 in down payment assistance for first-time buyers at or below 80% of the area median income. With DCA preapproval, local programs can sometimes layer with Georgia Dream.
Program limits and income caps change over time. Figures shown are the 2026 published guidelines; Tennyson will confirm current eligibility with a lender who originates these loans before you rely on them.
Not every lender knows these programs
Down payment assistance requires specific loan types and careful paperwork. Tennyson connects his buyers with lenders who originate DPA loans every week, so the assistance you qualify for actually makes it to closing.
The Process
01
Pull your credit reports, fix errors, and understand your score before you apply. A better score means a better rate.
02
Keep your total housing payment at or below 28% of gross monthly income, including taxes and insurance.
03
Georgia Dream, Peach Plus and Atlanta Housing can put thousands toward your down payment.
04
A pre-approval sets your shopping range, locks in your rate conversation and tells sellers you are serious.
05
Non-negotiables first: commute, schools, price, lifestyle. Tour widely before you narrow.
06
Offer on comps, not hopes. Inspect thoroughly, negotiate repairs, and close with every page explained.
Start Here
Send a message and Tennyson will connect you with a DPA-savvy lender, run the affordability math with you, and map out your path to the keys. First-time buyers get his full attention, because they are who he serves best.
Get your buyer plan
Tell us where you are in the process and what you qualify for.