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Pennsylvania · Lehigh Valley Real Estate

First-Time Home Buyer Guide for the Lehigh Valley

PHFA programs, real costs and a step-by-step plan to buy your first home in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and beyond, with a team that guarantees you'll love it.

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$375K

Lehigh Valley median sale price (Sept 2026)

Up to $6K

Keystone Advantage down payment help

K-FIT assistance, forgiven over 10 years

660

Typical minimum credit score for PHFA assistance

Sources: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (phfa.org), October 2026; Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS®, September 2026 (Lehigh & Northampton counties). Programs and terms change.

The short answer

First-time buyers in the Lehigh Valley can pair a low-down-payment loan (3.5% FHA or 3% conventional) with Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) assistance such as Keystone Advantage (up to $6,000) or K-FIT (5%, forgiven over 10 years).

The Jon Campbell Team at Real of Pennsylvania helps you compare lenders, find homes, and buy with a 2-year love-it-or-leave-it guarantee through the Elite Preferred Buyer Program.

Last updated October 2026.

PHFA down payment and closing cost help

Most programs pair with specific PHFA loans and need a PHFA-participating lender.

Program	What you get	Repayment
Keystone Advantage Assistance	Up to 4% of the price or $6,000, whichever is less	0% interest, monthly over 10 years
K-FIT	5% of the price or appraised value	Forgiven 10% a year over 10 years
K-DATE	5% of the price (8% on loans of $150,000 or less)	No monthly payment; due when you sell, refinance or pay off
PHFA Grant	$500 toward down payment and closing costs	None

Source: phfa.org, October 2026. Most programs require a 660 credit score; borrowers under 680 take a homebuyer course.

How to buy your first home

Six steps from budget to keys.

Step 1

Check your credit and budget

Know your score and what monthly payment fits before you shop.

Step 2

Get pre-approved

Compare lenders, including PHFA-participating lenders, with the team's mortgage shopping services.

Step 3

Ask about assistance

See which PHFA or other programs you qualify for and how they change your cash to close.

Step 4

Search and tour

Use the Jon Campbell Team app, sign your buyer agreement, and tour with a local team member.

Step 5

Make a strong offer

Price and terms built on current Lehigh Valley sales, not list prices alone.

Step 6

Inspect and close

Elite Buyers get a free home and termite inspection and a 1-year home warranty.

What your first home costs

At the Lehigh Valley median of $375,000 (September 2026).

	FHA (3.5% down)	Conventional (3% down)
Down payment	About $13,100	About $11,250
Plus	Closing costs and prepaid items	Closing costs and prepaid items
Assistance could cover	Up to $6,000 or 5% through PHFA	Up to $6,000 or 5% through PHFA

Illustrative only. Loan programs, minimums and costs depend on your lender, credit and the home.

Buy with a guarantee

The Elite Preferred Buyer Program takes the worry out of your first purchase.

2-year love-it-or-leave-it guarantee

Not completely satisfied? The team buys it back or sells it for free.

Elite Preferred Buyer →

Free home and termite inspection

Included with your purchase.

See all perks →

Off-market access

First look at off-market and hard-to-find homes.

Learn more →

Program fee: $597 at enrollment and $597 at signing of the agreement of sale. Terms and conditions apply.

First-time buyer questions, answered

Are there first-time homebuyer programs in Pennsylvania?

Yes. The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) offers mortgage programs such as the Keystone Home Loan, plus down payment and closing cost assistance including Keystone Advantage Assistance, K-FIT, K-DATE and a $500 PHFA grant. You apply through a PHFA-participating lender.

How much down payment assistance can I get in PA?

It depends on the program. Keystone Advantage Assistance offers up to 4% of the price or $6,000, whichever is less, repaid at 0% over 10 years. K-FIT offers 5%, forgiven 10% a year over 10 years. K-DATE offers 5% (8% on loans of $150,000 or less) with no monthly payment until you sell or refinance. Terms change, so confirm with a lender.

What credit score do I need to buy a house in Pennsylvania?

PHFA's down payment assistance programs generally require a 660 credit score, and borrowers under 680 must take a homebuyer course before closing. FHA loans can allow lower scores. A lender can tell you exactly where you stand.

How much do I need to buy my first home in the Lehigh Valley?

With a median sale price of $375,000 in September 2026, a 3.5% FHA down payment is about $13,100 and a 3% conventional down payment is about $11,250, plus closing costs. Down payment assistance can cover part of that.

Do first-time buyers pay transfer tax in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania charges a 1% state realty transfer tax plus local transfer taxes that vary by municipality. Buyers and sellers customarily split it, though it's negotiable. Ask your agent for the exact rate for the town you're buying in.

Do I need a buyer's agent agreement?

Yes. Buyers now sign a written agreement with their agent before touring homes. It spells out the agent's services and compensation, which is negotiable. The Jon Campbell Team will walk you through it before your first showing.

What help does the Jon Campbell Team give first-time buyers?

The team helps you compare lenders through its mortgage shopping services, search homes in the Jon Campbell Team app, tour and write offers, and, through the Elite Preferred Buyer Program, adds a free home and termite inspection, a 1-year home warranty and a 2-year love-it-or-leave-it guarantee.

Ready to buy your first home?

Search Lehigh Valley homes in the Jon Campbell Team app, or call to talk through programs, budget and next steps.

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