Helping you into your first home fills us with joy!
We're with you every step of the way
Buying your first home is a big step—and one of the smartest ways to build wealth. For most people, a house is the single largest financial asset they’ll ever own. That’s why First City is here to help you start your homeownership journey. We're here to empower your financial wellness and make your dream of owning a home a reality.
Our First Time Homebuyer Program adds good things and subtracts challenges from the home-buying process.
Making homebuying easy
What's so special?
You are! We won't let you get overwhelmed by the process. On the contrary, we'll make sure you feel supported with the right mix of features and homebuyer education to help you confidently buy your first home.
- Low 3% down payment option available for qualified borrowers (compared to 19% median down payment, per National Association of Realtors, 2025). Subject to credit approval and program guidelines.
- Money received as a 'gift' (Gift Funds) can be used towards your down payment
- Lower closing costs
- Generous loan amounts up to $1.2 million
- Great interest rates & affordable monthly payments
- Custom Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) designed to help lower your monthly payment
- You choose the mortgage and term that’s right for you – it could be a Fixed-Rate Mortgage or an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM) to help you buy more home
Get pre-qualified today at no cost! Call us at 800.944.2200 extension 5, Option 2 for more information.
Meet your real estate match.
Find your perfect agent
Access a network of vetted real estate agents ready to help you buy or sell your home.
- Hand-selected professionals
- Top, local brokerages
- Exclusive agent network
How HomeAdvantage works.
Save with ease
Learn how members have saved an average of $2,462* on their home-buying or selling journey.
- Connect with our Concierge Team
- Match with your perfect agent
- Get rewarded for buying or selling a home
First City Credit Union, a Newsweek Top Credit Union and nation leading 5-star financial institution, has been serving Los Angeles County Employees, Departments, and Agencies since 1937 - Angelenos Serving Angelenos with convenient locations throughout LA County.
*HomeAdvantage is available to you through your credit union membership. Cash Rewards are available to members who register to use HomeAdvantage and who use a real estate agent in the HomeAdvantage network to buy or sell their home. Using the credit union for a mortgage is not a requirement to earn Cash Rewards. Cash Reward amounts are dependent on the commissions paid to the agent. The credit union may have specific rules on how Cash Rewards will be paid. Cash Rewards are void where prohibited by law or the lender. Please consult with your credit union for details that may affect you.
Cash Rewards are 20% of the agent’s commission. The example assumes a 2.5% agent commission. Cash Rewards may be limited and/or prohibited by state law. No reward will be available for buyers in Mississippi. Cash Rewards may be in the form of a closing cost credit, disclosed on the Closing Disclosure or a reduced real estate commission with the exception of the following states where a check will be issued after closing; AL, AK, IA, KS, LA, MO, OK, OR and TN.