First-time buyers
Nobody is born knowing how mortgages work. This page is the guide Dominick wishes every first-time buyer got — myths busted, steps mapped, help programs explained.
Myth-busting
The truth: Conventional loans start at 3% down, FHA at 3.5%, and VA and USDA can be $0 down for eligible buyers. Twenty percent avoids mortgage insurance — it is not the price of admission.
The truth: Many programs work from the low 600s, and FHA guidelines can go lower. Your credit is a starting point for a plan, not a verdict.
The truth: Nobody can time rates — not even loan officers. If a payment works for your budget today, waiting has costs too (rising prices, rent paid, competition when rates fall). And refinancing later is always on the table.
The truth: A mortgage pre-approval is a single inquiry with a small, temporary effect — and credit models group multiple mortgage inquiries within a shopping window as one. The clarity is worth far more than a few points.
The truth: Backwards — and in a competitive Front Range market, costly. Sellers take offers with pre-approvals seriously. Financing first means you shop your real budget and can move fast.
The truth: Student debt factors into your debt-to-income ratio, but it rarely disqualifies you by itself. Dominick works with buyers carrying student loans all the time — the math usually works better than people fear.
The path
1
Fifteen minutes with Dominick about goals, timeline, and budget. No documents needed yet.
2
Apply through Fairway’s secure system. Dominick reviews income, credit, and assets and issues a real pre-approval letter.
3
Not what you qualify for — what fits your life. You set the comfort number together, including taxes and insurance.
4
You and your agent hunt; Dominick updates your pre-approval letter per offer and talks to listing agents when it helps your offer win.
5
Appraisal, processing, underwriting — The Romig Team drives the file and updates you every week, so nothing is a mystery.
6
Final numbers reviewed together before closing day. You sign, you get keys, and Dominick stays your loan person for life.
Colorado down payment help
The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority pairs its fixed-rate mortgages with real down payment assistance for qualified buyers: a grant of up to the lesser of $25,000 or 3% of your first mortgage that never has to be repaid, or a deferred second mortgage of up to the lesser of $25,000 or 4% — repaid only when you sell, refinance, or pay off the loan.
Income and purchase-price limits apply and vary by county, a homebuyer education class is required, and assistance options carry trade-offs — which is exactly why you check eligibility with a loan officer instead of a headline. It takes about ten minutes.
Real clients, real reviews
Pulled from Experience.com, Google & Zillow — every word verified, every buyer real.
As first-time homebuyers, we had a lot of questions, and Dominick was incredibly patient and helpful. He took the time to explain everything clearly, responded quickly whenever we needed guidance, and was simply a pleasure to work with.
Shelby P. · Laramie, WYFirst-time buyer
With me in SC and my daughter in CO, Dominick and Fairway's service made our home closing seamlessly easy! Dominick took the time to offer advice, explain everything with the closing process, offering options that would work for us. He was always available when we had questions and always kept us updated on the progress! His communication was impeccable. I will never hesitate to refer all my friends and family to Dominick.
Asrowan · Arvada, COLong-distance closing
We were referred to Dominick by a real estate agent for a VA Home Loan. Dominick answered the call, and from day 1 until closing, he was supportive, communicative, and kept us up to date on the home-buying process, even on evenings and weekends. Dominick and Fairway's support staff are amazing. If you are in the market for a home loan, call Dominick!
Kacy M. · Maxwell, NEVA home loan
I hadn't bought a house in 16 years, and felt pretty clueless about it, to be honest. Dominick was there every step of the way, explaining everything and making sure my wife and I felt comfortable with the lending experience.
Eric M. · Loveland, COReturn buyer
We had a wonderful experience working with Dominick! He made the entire home-buying process smooth, stress-free, and easy to understand. He was always quick to answer our questions and kept us informed every step of the way.
Lottie S. · Laramie, WYHome purchase
Dom was amazing and so easy to work with. The process was extremely easy and seamless. We will definitely use Dominick if we ever need mortgage help in the future!
Erin R. · Laramie, WYHome purchase
Dom has a great personality and is very professional, knowledgeable and thorough. He does a great job of explaining everything and keeps the process moving along. Will definitely do business with him again!
Bonnie N. · Laramie, WYRepeat client
What an easy process — he made it accessible, honest, and really genuinely cares about his clients. We had a great experience with Dominick and I would feel comfortable recommending him to anyone, heck I would be enthused to.
Chance P. · Laramie, WYHome purchase
The communication from Dominick and his team is phenomenal!
Troy M. · Maxwell, NECommunication
Smooth transitions, and Dom answered all of our questions we had in a timely manner!
Barbara S. · Laramie, WYHome purchase
Very good communication, fast with the process, very helpful.
Alizeah S. · Cozad, NEFast process
Everything was explained and Dominick was very helpful with the entire lending process.
Eric M. · Loveland, COLending process
As first-time homebuyers, we had a lot of questions, and Dominick was incredibly patient and helpful. He took the time to explain everything clearly, responded quickly whenever we needed guidance, and was simply a pleasure to work with.
Shelby P. · Laramie, WYFirst-time buyer
With me in SC and my daughter in CO, Dominick and Fairway's service made our home closing seamlessly easy! Dominick took the time to offer advice, explain everything with the closing process, offering options that would work for us. He was always available when we had questions and always kept us updated on the progress! His communication was impeccable. I will never hesitate to refer all my friends and family to Dominick.
Asrowan · Arvada, COLong-distance closing
We were referred to Dominick by a real estate agent for a VA Home Loan. Dominick answered the call, and from day 1 until closing, he was supportive, communicative, and kept us up to date on the home-buying process, even on evenings and weekends. Dominick and Fairway's support staff are amazing. If you are in the market for a home loan, call Dominick!
Kacy M. · Maxwell, NEVA home loan
I hadn't bought a house in 16 years, and felt pretty clueless about it, to be honest. Dominick was there every step of the way, explaining everything and making sure my wife and I felt comfortable with the lending experience.
Eric M. · Loveland, COReturn buyer
We had a wonderful experience working with Dominick! He made the entire home-buying process smooth, stress-free, and easy to understand. He was always quick to answer our questions and kept us informed every step of the way.
Lottie S. · Laramie, WYHome purchase
Dom was amazing and so easy to work with. The process was extremely easy and seamless. We will definitely use Dominick if we ever need mortgage help in the future!
Erin R. · Laramie, WYHome purchase
Dom has a great personality and is very professional, knowledgeable and thorough. He does a great job of explaining everything and keeps the process moving along. Will definitely do business with him again!
Bonnie N. · Laramie, WYRepeat client
What an easy process — he made it accessible, honest, and really genuinely cares about his clients. We had a great experience with Dominick and I would feel comfortable recommending him to anyone, heck I would be enthused to.
Chance P. · Laramie, WYHome purchase
The communication from Dominick and his team is phenomenal!
Troy M. · Maxwell, NECommunication
Smooth transitions, and Dom answered all of our questions we had in a timely manner!
Barbara S. · Laramie, WYHome purchase
Very good communication, fast with the process, very helpful.
Alizeah S. · Cozad, NEFast process
Everything was explained and Dominick was very helpful with the entire lending process.
Eric M. · Loveland, COLending process
Money questions
Less than most people think. Between low-down-payment programs (3–3.5% down) and CHFA down payment assistance for qualified buyers, many Colorado first-time buyers close with a fraction of the traditional 20%. You will also want funds for closing costs and reserves — Dominick maps the full cash-to-close for your scenario before you shop.
Many conventional programs start around 620, and FHA guidelines can reach lower. Pricing improves as scores rise. If your score needs work, Dominick can point out which specific changes move it fastest.
CHFA is the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority — the state’s affordable homeownership agency. It pairs fixed-rate first mortgages with down payment help (a grant or a deferred second mortgage) for qualified buyers. Income and purchase-price limits vary by county, and a homebuyer education class is required. Whether you qualify is a ten-minute check.
From pre-approval, most purchases close 30–45 days after your offer is accepted. The house hunt itself is the variable — some buyers find the one in a week, some take months. The pre-approval is what lets you move when it appears.
Talking to Dominick costs nothing, and there is no obligation. Loan costs are disclosed clearly in your official Loan Estimate before you commit to anything.
It's a 15-minute conversation, it costs nothing, and there are genuinely no dumb questions. That's the whole first step.