re: First time home buyer question

1. Jesus. Do not fret about what others think about your down payment.
Just be darn sure the monthly payment is not going to squeeze your life. That's on your interest, as much as the down payment.

2. Some nice towns are in rural designated regions.
You can put down nothing or very little.
I got in my first with 3%.
Two years later when I bought another and sold I cleared $55k after all fees.
3. UsDA has the lists of counties/parishes where you can get the low down payment.