Blake Overton Mortgage Team

Choosing FHA over conventional is rarely about the down payment. Both can allow as little as 3% down. The real difference is how flexible the loan is when your credit, debt ratios, or savings are tight. FHA shifts some risk to federal insurance, allowing approvals that would feel fragile on conventional loans. In this episode, we explain how to choose the structure that truly fits your file.

Buying a home in Iowa can feel out of reach because of upfront costs, but Iowa Finance Authority programs are designed to help. This guide explains IFA down payment assistance options, including grants and 5% assistance loans, who qualifies, and how buyers can reduce or even eliminate cash needed at closing. For many Iowans, these programs can make homeownership possible sooner than expected.

Seller concessions are often discussed in theory, but how often do they actually appear in real deals? This breakdown reviews 60 primary residence purchases that closed in Central Iowa in 2025, showing how frequently seller concessions were used, typical concession amounts, and why they helped buyers manage cash at closing.