FOR HOME BUYERS
BorrowSmart Access™: Down Payment Help for First-Time Buyers
BorrowSmart Access™ is designed to help eligible first-time homebuyers bridge the gap to homeownership by providing down payment assistance and reduced mortgage insurance. Perfect for buyers in select metro areas, this program combines affordability and flexibility to make getting into your first home easier than ever.
A home loan that makes home more affordable.
Down Payment Help
Receive assistance toward your 3% down payment.
Lower Monthly Payment
Reduced mortgage insurance premiums and competitive interest rates.
Education and Support
Includes a free homebuyer education course.
Stackable Benefits
Can be combined with other assistance programs.
What our Clients Say
If I could recommend Sam a million times I would. She made the process of buying our first home effortless. I’m grateful to have had her as our broker and even recommended a wonderful realtor as well!
Response from the owner 06:02 22 Jul 25
Thank you, Kayla P., for your fantastic review! We’re thrilled to hear that Sam made your first home buying experience so effortless. It’s wonderful to know she could also assist you with a great realtor! We appreciate your recommendations and are here for any future mortgage needs.Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to Align your dream of homeownership! 
Samantha is a rockstar! She provided expert help and guided me through the loan process in terms that were easy to understand and made the whole experience painless!
Response from the owner 23:38 20 Jun 25
Thank you, Benjamin Shafer, for your fantastic review! We’re delighted to hear that Samantha made your loan process seamless and easy to understand. Our team is here for any future mortgage needs, and we appreciate you sharing your experience with others!Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to Align your dream of homeownership! 
Kevin was great! Very helpful, knowledgeable and communicative throughout my refinance.
Taylor is the best. She's so sweet and has great rates. If you need a skilled loan officer, she's the one to talk to.
Response from the owner 20:27 12 Feb 25
Thank you for your kind words, Ben! We're thrilled to hear that Taylor made such a positive impact on your experience. We'll be sure to pass along your compliments to her! 
Everyone at Align knows what they’re doing. Ryan took the time to answer every question I had, and overall made the process as a first time home buyer stress-free.
Response from the owner 15:58 21 Oct 24
Thank you for your wonderful review, Mark! We're thrilled to hear that Ryan was able to assist you and make your experience stress-free. Your satisfaction as a first-time home buyer is our top priority. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to helping you again in the future! 
Travis and the team at Align Lending are hands down the best mortgage option for anyone looking to buy or refinance. Travis spent as much time as it took to be sure I was in the best spot to buy a house and stuck with me through it all. I am so proud of my home and none of it would have been possible without Travis.
Very professional and knowledgeable, highly recommend for your lending needs!
Can’t say enough great things about Samantha and her team at Align Lending! Highly recommend
Samantha is a rockstar. We had an unusual situation with our lending and she went above and beyond to help us get our mortgage approved. I truly feel that if we had worked with any other lender or broker, we would not have been able to close on time, or maybe at all. I am beyond happy with the work Samantha did for us and how she handled the entire process. I cannot say enough good things about the work she did for me and my husband. I will be recommending Align Lending and Samantha to anyone that needs a lender.
Just bought my first home and Ryan Greiner made the mortgage process incredibly quick and easy to understand. He worked hand in hand with my realtor and made sure everything I needed was ready when it had to be. Definitely reccomend Align Lending and Ryan both!
As first time homebuyers we made sure to do our research before choosing a mortgage broker. We decided to go with Align Lending and could not have made a better choice. We worked with Samantha and she made the entire process smooth and easy. The customer service was top notch! The professional, yet caring approach was just what we were looking. We highly recommend Align Lending!
Samantha was absolutely wonderful to work with when we purchased our new home last month. She made herself available day and night for us and was always able to quickly respond to our questions. She made the entire process so comfortable and easy. 10/10 would highly recommend!!
Samantha and align lending are always a pleasure to work with. I recommend my clients here and they always are quick to help, knowledgeable and make the process as smooth as possible. We will definitely keep using them for our mortgage needs in the future.
Guidelines for this Loan
If your details are close to these guidelines, we encourage you to apply or contact us. Even if you don’t qualify for an adjustable-rate mortgage, we could have other options for you.
Estimate and Explore
Calculators are a great way to learn and see what’s possible.
Comparing BorrowSmart Access
Everyone’s situation is different. What might be right for one person might not be right for you. Apply or contact us – it’s the best way to explore your unique options.
BorrowSmart Access
One+ By Align Lending®
HomeReady® & Home Possible®
Income Cap
Yes
Yes
Yes
Credit Towards Upfront Costs
Up To $3,000
Up To $7,000
Up To $3,500
Mortgage Insurance
Standard Pricing
Reduced Pricing
Reduced Pricing
BorrowSmart Access
One+ By Rocket Mortgage®
HomeReady® & Home Possible®
Income Cap
Yes
Yes
Yes
Credit Towards Upfront Costs
Up To $3,000
Up To $7,000
Up To $3,500
Mortgage Insurance
Standard Pricing
Reduced Pricing
Reduced Pricing
Get More In-Depth Details
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Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to questions about this loan we heard from people like you during research.
How Much Assistance Can I Get?
Assistance varies by location and borrower eligibility, but can range from $1,000 to $2,500 or more.
What are the income limits?
Income must generally be below 80%–100% of the Area Median Income (AMI), depending on the county. Ask a loan advisor to confirm your eligibility.
Can I Use This with Other Programs?
Yes! BorrowSmart Access™ can be layered with other grants, credits, or seller/lender-paid contributions.
Do I Have to Repay the Assistance?
Most assistance provided through BorrowSmart Access™ is a non-repayable grant or forgivable after a set period—verify specifics with your lender.
Is There a Special Application Process?
Yes, and it includes completing a free homebuyer education course and submitting proof of eligibility.
