2026-08-06 · 2 min read · Livingston
You Don't Need 20% Down to Buy a Home in Livingston TN
Overview
Most people think they have to wait.
They think they need 20% saved before they can even start looking. They think their credit has to be perfect. They think homeownership is something they'll get to someday, just not yet.
I hear it every week.
"Hey Bridget, we love this home but we don't have any money saved. Are there programs?"
Yes. There are programs. And most people have no idea they exist.
What I see every single day
Zachary and Holly thought they had nothing. They called me anyway. We found them a program and they closed on a $220,000 home with zero dollars down.
Gracie and Jared were 20 and 22 years old. Most people their age are still figuring out rent. They own a home now.
Amy and Sean are veterans. Not only did they get into their first home, they got money back at closing.
These are not rare cases. This is what happens when you call before you think you're ready.
The programs most buyers don't know about
Tennessee has down payment assistance programs built for first-time buyers. The VA loan program exists specifically for veterans and their families. USDA loans cover rural areas, and a lot of the Upper Cumberland qualifies.
None of these require 20% down. Some require nothing at all.
The problem is nobody tells you about them. You Google it, you get scared by the numbers, and you stop before you ever really start.
That's where I come in.
What you actually need to get started
You don't need a pile of money in the bank. You don't need a perfect credit score. You need one conversation.
I've lived in the Upper Cumberland my whole life. I'm a certified residential appraiser and an active investor in this market. I know what's available here. I know what works.
I'll tell you exactly where you stand. No pressure. No cost. Just the truth.
If you've been waiting, stop waiting. Call me first.
Bridget Salazar, OC Homegirl
Your next step
Keep reading:
Have a question about this? Send me a message or call (931) 510-1346. I answer every question.