What are todays FHA loan rates?

As of March 2026, FHA 30-year fixed rates start at 5.750% and FHA 15-year fixed rates start at 5.500%.

Are FHA rates lower than conventional?

Yes. FHA rates are typically 0.25-0.50% lower than conventional rates due to the FHA guaranty reducing lender risk.

QUICK ANSWER — FHA is the most popular loan for first-time home buyers. Requirements: 580+ credit for 3.5% down, 2 years employment, 43% DTI. Benefits: gift funds allowed for 100% of down payment, seller can pay 6% of closing costs, Nevada Housing Division offers up to 5% down payment assistance.

Reviewed by Vatche Saatdjian·Valley West Mortgage·NMLS #65506·790+ five-star reviews

FHA for First-Time Home Buyers

80% of FHA loans go to first-time buyers. 3.5% down, flexible credit, gift funds allowed, and down payment assistance programs available.

Check What You Qualify For → (702) 696-9900

WHY FHA

Why First-Time Buyers Choose FHA

3.5%

Low Down Payment

Save for months, not years. Just $15,225 on the Las Vegas median home price.

580

Flexible Credit

No perfect credit needed. FHA works for real people building their credit history.

100%

Gift Funds OK

Your entire down payment can come from family, employer, or assistance programs.

PROCESS

Your First Home in 4 Steps

Get Pre-Approved 24 hours

Apply online in 60 seconds. We check your credit, verify income, and tell you exactly how much home you can afford.

Shop With Confidence 1-4 weeks

Your pre-approval letter shows sellers you are ready. We can recommend buyer agents who know the Las Vegas market.

FHA Appraisal 5-7 days

FHA appraiser checks the home for safety and value. We handle scheduling and follow-up. No surprises.

Close & Move In Day 28-30

Sign the docs, get the keys. You are a homeowner. Valley West closes in 28 days on average.

FAQ

Questions? Answered.

No. FHA is available to all borrowers, not just first-time buyers. However, about 80% of FHA loans go to first-time buyers because of the low down payment and flexible credit requirements.

FHA is generally the easiest government-backed loan for first-time buyers. It requires just 3.5% down with a 580 credit score and allows the entire down payment to come from gift funds or assistance programs.

Yes. Nevada Housing Division offers up to 5% down payment assistance. Clark County has HOME program grants. Combined with FHA 3.5% down, first-time buyers in Las Vegas can potentially close with near-zero out-of-pocket costs.

It depends on home price and debts. For a $400K home at 5.75%, the monthly payment is about $2,500. Using the 43% DTI rule, you need roughly $70,000/year gross income with minimal debts.

Usually yes if your credit is under 700 or you have less than 10% down. FHA offers lower rates, smaller down payments, and more flexible credit. Above 720 credit with 10%+ down, conventional may save more long-term.