Ask the Economist: What Loan Options Exist for First-Time Home Buyers With Less Than 20% Down Payment?
April 7, 2026
Advertisement
- Real Estate TopicsOpen submenuYour resource for all things Real Estate. Including Legal, Agent & Broker, and Property Rights Issues.
- MembershipOpen submenuWhether you’re a new agent or an experienced broker you have access to a wide array of resources designed to help you succeed in today's market.
- Research & StatisticsOpen submenuIncluding home buying and selling, commercial, international, NAR member information, and technology. Use the data to improve your business through knowledge of the latest trends and statistics.
- AdvocacyOpen submenuNAR is widely considered one of the most effective advocacy organizations in the country.
- EducationOpen submenuNAR and its affiliated Institutes, Societies, and Councils offer a wide selection of real estate training options.
- News & EventsOpen submenuStay current on industry issues with daily news from NAR. Network with other professionals, attend a seminar, and keep up with industry trends through events hosted by NAR.
- About NAROpen submenuThe National Association of REALTORS® is an American trade association involved in all aspects of residential and commercial real estate.
- MoreOpen submenu
- View All
- Get the FactsThe facts and latest news on NAR's policy updates. For REALTORS®, MLSs, brokers, buyers, and sellers.
- Marketing
- Being a Real Estate Professional
- Residential Real Estate
- Legal
- More
Real Estate Topics
- Realtors Property Resource® (RPR)
- All Membership Benefits
- NAR REALTOR Benefits®Bringing you savings and unique offers on products and services just for REALTORS®.
- DirectoriesComplete listing of state and local associations, MLSs, members, and more.
- Dues Information & Payment
- Become a MemberAs a member, you are the voice for NAR – it is your association and it exists to help you succeed.
- Logos and Trademark RulesOnly members of NAR can call themselves a REALTOR®. Learn how to properly use the logo and terms.
- Your Membership AccountReview your membership preferences and Code of Ethics training status.
Membership
- Highlights & NewsGet the latest top line research, news, and popular reports.
- Housing StatisticsNational, regional, and metro-market level housing statistics where data is available.
- Research ReportsResearch on a wide range of topics of interest to real estate practitioners.
- Presentation SlidesAccess recent presentations from NAR economists and researchers.
- State & Metro Area DataAffordability, economic, and buyer & seller profile data for areas in which you live and work.
- Commercial ResearchAnalysis of commercial market sectors and commercial-focused issues and trends.
- Statistical News Release Schedule
Research & Statistics
- Advocacy Issues & News
- Federal AdvocacyFrom its building located steps away from the U.S. Capitol, NAR advocates for you.
- REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC)Promoting the election of pro-REALTOR® candidates across the United States.
- State & Local AdvocacyResources to foster and harness the grassroots strength of the REALTOR® Party.
- Advocacy ImpactHighlighting work to expand housing access and defend property rights.
- REALTOR® PartyA powerful alliance working to protect and promote homeownership and property investment.
- Get InvolvedNow more than ever, it is critical for REALTORS® across America to come together and speak with one voice.
Advocacy
- All Education & Professional Development
- Code of Ethics TrainingFulfill your COE training requirement with free courses for new and existing members.
- Fair Housing TrainingREALTORS® are required to complete Fair Housing every three years, coinciding with COE training.
- Real Estate Designations and CertificationsIncrease your skills, proficiency, and knowledge to help boost your salary and client base.
- Continuing Education (CE)Meet the continuing education (CE) requirement in state(s) where you hold a license.
- Online Real Estate CoursesExplore certificate courses, leadership and business tools, and affiliate offerings.
- Library & ArchivesOffering research services and thousands of print and digital resources.
Education
- NAR NewsroomOfficial news releases from NAR.
- NAR REALTOR® News
- BlogsCommentary from NAR experts on technology, staging, placemaking, and real estate trends.
- NewslettersStay informed on the most important real estate business news and business specialty updates.
- NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience
- REALTORS® Legislative Meetings
- AE Institute
- All Events
News & Events
- Mission, Vision, Culture & Impact
- Code of Ethics
- Leadership & StaffNational, state & local leadership, staff directories, leadership opportunities, and more.
- Committee & Liaisons
- HistoryFounded as the National Association of Real Estate Exchanges in 1908.
- Affiliated Organizations
- 2025 NAR Annual ReportServing REALTORS® better and strengthening the association for long-term success.
- Policies
- Governing DocumentsCode of Ethics, NAR's Constitution & Bylaws, and model bylaws for state & local associations.
- Awards & GrantsMember recognition and special funding, including the REALTORS® Relief Foundation.
- NAR's Consumer Outreach
About NAR
- Real Estate TopicsReal Estate Topics
Your resource for all things Real Estate. Including Legal, Agent & Broker, and Property Rights Issues.- Get the FactsCloseThe facts and latest news on NAR's policy updates. For REALTORS®, MLSs, brokers, buyers, and sellers.
- MembershipProviding Membership Value
Whether you’re a new agent or an experienced broker you have access to a wide array of resources designed to help you succeed in today's market.
- NAR REALTOR Benefits®CloseBringing you savings and unique offers on products and services just for REALTORS®.
- DirectoriesCloseComplete listing of state and local associations, MLSs, members, and more.
- Become a MemberCloseAs a member, you are the voice for NAR – it is your association and it exists to help you succeed.
- Logos and Trademark RulesCloseOnly members of NAR can call themselves a REALTOR®. Learn how to properly use the logo and terms.
- Your Membership AccountCloseReview your membership preferences and Code of Ethics training status.
- Research & StatisticsMarket Behavior
Including home buying and selling, commercial, international, NAR member information, and technology. Use the data to improve your business through knowledge of the latest trends and statistics.- Highlights & NewsCloseGet the latest top line research, news, and popular reports.
- Housing StatisticsCloseNational, regional, and metro-market level housing statistics where data is available.
- Research ReportsCloseResearch on a wide range of topics of interest to real estate practitioners.
- Presentation SlidesCloseAccess recent presentations from NAR economists and researchers.
- State & Metro Area DataCloseAffordability, economic, and buyer & seller profile data for areas in which you live and work.
- Commercial ResearchCloseAnalysis of commercial market sectors and commercial-focused issues and trends.
- AdvocacyRepresenting Your Industry
NAR is widely considered one of the most effective advocacy organizations in the country.- Federal AdvocacyCloseFrom its building located steps away from the U.S. Capitol, NAR advocates for you.
- REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC)ClosePromoting the election of pro-REALTOR® candidates across the United States.
- State & Local AdvocacyCloseResources to foster and harness the grassroots strength of the REALTOR® Party.
- Advocacy ImpactCloseHighlighting work to expand housing access and defend property rights.
- REALTOR® PartyCloseA powerful alliance working to protect and promote homeownership and property investment.
- Get InvolvedCloseNow more than ever, it is critical for REALTORS® across America to come together and speak with one voice.
- EducationAdvancing Your Career
NAR and its affiliated Institutes, Societies, and Councils offer a wide selection of real estate training options.- Code of Ethics TrainingCloseFulfill your COE training requirement with free courses for new and existing members.
- Fair Housing TrainingCloseREALTORS® are required to complete Fair Housing every three years, coinciding with COE training.
- Real Estate Designations and CertificationsCloseIncrease your skills, proficiency, and knowledge to help boost your salary and client base.
- Continuing Education (CE)CloseMeet the continuing education (CE) requirement in state(s) where you hold a license.
- Online Real Estate CoursesCloseExplore certificate courses, leadership and business tools, and affiliate offerings.
- Library & ArchivesCloseOffering research services and thousands of print and digital resources.
- News & EventsNews & Events
Stay current on industry issues with daily news from NAR. Network with other professionals, attend a seminar, and keep up with industry trends through events hosted by NAR.- NAR NewsroomCloseOfficial news releases from NAR.
- NewslettersCloseStay informed on the most important real estate business news and business specialty updates.
- About NARWho We Are
The National Association of REALTORS® is an American trade association involved in all aspects of residential and commercial real estate.- Leadership & StaffCloseNational, state & local leadership, staff directories, leadership opportunities, and more.
- 2025 NAR Annual ReportCloseServing REALTORS® better and strengthening the association for long-term success.
- Governing DocumentsCloseCode of Ethics, NAR's Constitution & Bylaws, and model bylaws for state & local associations.
- Awards & GrantsCloseMember recognition and special funding, including the REALTORS® Relief Foundation.