The City's First Time Home Buyer program is designed to assist low-income households with financial assistance to purchase their first home. City staff are available to assist involved Realtors and Lenders navigate the process.
Lender & Realtor Tools
Here is a flowchart that illustrates the process of working with someone going through the First Time Home Buyer program.
Additional details relative to Realtors and Lenders are summarized in this document. A list of required documents can be accessed here.
Key Points:
Verify Approval:If a client states they have been approved for the program, please verify with City staff at 406-657-3045.
Application Submission:If you receive a completed First Time Home Buyer application from a client, please verify the application has also been received by the City.
Funding Reservation: Funds are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis to applicants who have submitted the following:
Homebuyer Education Certificate of Completion
Signed Buy-Sell Agreement with eligible purchase price
Good Faith Estimate with PITI under 42 percent
Timely Submission:The approval process can take over four weeks to get a check issued for closing; timely submission is critical to this process.
Lead-Based Paint: Homes built prior to 1978, with chipping and / or peeling paint, are not eligible for the program.
Tenants: Homes with tenants residing in the property to be purchased are not eligible for the program.
Closing Dates: Please keep in mind it takes ten business days for a check request to be processed through the City's financial system. No exceptions will be made.