First-time buyers · Colorado
Scott is based in Monument and has worked with Colorado buyers for more than two decades — the Tri-Lakes area, Colorado Springs, Castle Rock, the Denver south metro, Pueblo and the towns between. Here is how buying works in Colorado, what help exists, and what to do first.
Where Scott's CO buyers are buying
Licensed statewide — these are just the communities that come up most. Any address in Colorado works.
Down payment help in Colorado
The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) pairs its own first mortgages — FHA, VA, USDA and conventional, through programs such as FirstStep, SmartStep and Preferred — with down payment and closing cost help: a grant that does not have to be repaid, or a second mortgage at 0% interest with no monthly payment, repaid when you sell, refinance or pay off the first loan. FirstStep is for first-time buyers, qualified veterans and buyers in targeted areas; SmartStep and Preferred also serve repeat buyers. On top of CHFA, the Denver metro area has metroDPA and the Pikes Peak region has El Paso County's Turnkey Plus program. Income and purchase-price limits apply and change periodically, a homebuyer education course is required, and Scott checks your eligibility as part of pre-approval.
Scott · Loan OfficerBuying in Colorado, specifically
Colorado's property tax rates are among the lower ones in the country — until a metropolitan district adds its own mill levy. Many newer neighborhoods in Monument, Castle Rock, Falcon, Parker and the south metro sit in one. Two similar homes a mile apart can carry very different tax bills, so Scott pulls the actual figure for any address before you write an offer.
The Front Range is hail country, and the foothills and forested areas around Black Forest, Monument and Palmer Lake carry wildfire exposure. Homeowners insurance is part of the monthly payment, and quotes vary widely by roof age and location. Get a quote on any serious house before you write — Scott will remind you.
Fort Carson, Peterson and Schriever Space Force Bases, the Air Force Academy and Cheyenne Mountain mean a large share of Pikes Peak buyers are using VA benefits, often on a PCS clock. Scott pulls your Certificate of Eligibility up front and sets a closing date that holds. And east of Colorado Springs — Peyton, Calhan, Ellicott, parts of Elbert County — many addresses are USDA-eligible, which means $0 down for eligible buyers without VA entitlement.
Loan programs for Colorado first-time buyers
The workhorse of home financing — flexible terms, competitive costs, and down payments as low as 3% for first-time buyers.
Learn more →The first-time buyer favorite — 3.5% down, friendlier credit requirements, and forgiving guidelines for real-life finances.
Learn more →For those who served — $0 down, no monthly mortgage insurance, and some of the strongest terms in all of lending.
Learn more →$0 down for homes in eligible smaller communities across Colorado — east of Colorado Springs, Elbert County, Teller County and far more towns than buyers expect.
Learn more →Colorado has real down payment help — CHFA statewide, plus metroDPA in the Denver metro and El Paso County’s Turnkey Plus in the Pikes Peak region — that can put thousands toward your down payment and closing costs.
Learn more →Six myths busted and the six-step path from first text to keys — the page to read before anything else.
Start here →How it works from Monument
Text, phone, video, secure document upload, and a closing at a title company near you. Your Colorado real estate agent and Scott talk directly at every milestone — offer-day numbers in minutes and a call to every listing agent included.
Timing varies by file and depends on receiving complete documentation. Turnaround figures are typical, not guaranteed. This is not an offer to enter into an agreement; not all customers will qualify. Rates, programs and terms are subject to change. All loans subject to credit and property approval.
Colorado first-time buyer questions
Colorado first-time buyers can use conventional loans with as little as 3% down, FHA with 3.5% down, VA or USDA with $0 down for eligible buyers, and CHFA programs that add a down payment assistance grant or a deferred 0% second mortgage for eligible households. Local programs such as metroDPA and El Paso County Turnkey Plus may add further help.
As little as 3% on a conventional loan, 3.5% on FHA, or $0 on VA and USDA loans for eligible buyers. CHFA and local down payment assistance may cover some or all of the down payment and closing costs for eligible households.
Buyers who use a CHFA first mortgage, meet the program's income and purchase-price limits for their county, meet a minimum credit score, and complete a CHFA-approved homebuyer education course. FirstStep requires first-time buyer status (or a qualified veteran or targeted-area purchase); SmartStep and Preferred also serve repeat buyers. Scott checks eligibility as part of pre-approval.
Yes. Scott Synovic is licensed in Colorado (license #100019385, NMLS #253799) and is based at Fairway Home Mortgage's Monument, CO branch.
Colorado buyers
After that it's just a conversation. Text Scott what you're wondering about buying in Colorado — tonight is fine.
Applications happen on Fairway's secure site — never here.
There’s a whole other side to this site
Scott also originates reverse mortgages for homeowners 62 and older — HECM, HECM for Purchase, the works. Flip the site over for the plain-English version: what it is, what it is not, and whether it fits.
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