"I Need a 20% Down Payment to Buy a Home!"

The Story of Maria and John: How a Home-Buying Seminar Changed Their Lives

Maria and John had been renting a small apartment for years, dreaming of owning a home where they could start a family. They spent nights scrolling through listings, imagining life in a place they could truly call their own.

But there was one problem—they believed they needed a full 20% down payment before they could even think about buying a house.

For them, that meant saving at least $60,000 for a modest home in their area. With student loans, everyday expenses, and unexpected life costs, that goal seemed impossible. At their current pace, it would take them another 8-10 years just to save enough for a down payment.

So, they put their home-buying dreams on hold.

Then one day, Maria saw a post on social media about a free home-buying seminar hosted by Team Pimentel.

Curious but skeptical, she convinced John to attend. "At the very least," she told him, "we’ll learn something useful, right?"

The Eye-Opening Seminar That Changed Everything

At the seminar, Maria and John were blown away by what they learned.

They did NOT need a 20% down payment. In fact, many homebuyers put down as little as 3%-5%, and some loan programs even allow zero down!
They learned about down payment assistance programs. They discovered that there were grants and loans available to help first-time buyers cover their down payment and closing costs.
They met an experienced lender who explained their options. Instead of relying on outdated advice, they got real facts about the mortgage process.

As they listened to real stories of other first-time homebuyers who had successfully purchased homes with far less than 20% down, something clicked.

"We’ve been waiting for years," John said. "But if we qualify for one of these programs, we might not have to wait much longer."

The Truth About Down Payments

After the seminar, Maria and John sat down with a lender who helped them explore their options. They found out that the 20% down rule is one of the biggest myths in home buying.

Here’s what they discovered:

Conventional Loans: Some lenders allow down payments as low as 3%-5%, making it much easier for first-time buyers to get into a home.
FHA Loans: This government-backed loan allows for as little as 3.5% down, making homeownership more accessible for buyers with lower savings or credit challenges.
VA Loans: If you’re a veteran or active military member, you could qualify for a 0% down payment with a VA loan.
USDA Loans: If you’re buying in a rural area, a USDA loan might let you buy with no down payment required.
Down Payment Assistance Programs: Many state and local programs offer grants or low-interest loans to help buyers cover their down payments.

How Maria and John Bought Their Home with Just 5% Down

Encouraged by what they learned, Maria and John decided to take action.

Instead of waiting another decade to save a massive down payment, they realized that with a 5% down payment, they could buy a home much sooner.

With guidance from Team Pimentel, they:

✔ Found a great lender who pre-approved them for a mortgage with a low down payment.

✔ Found their dream home and made an offer within just a few months of attending the seminar.

By putting down just 5% instead of 20%, they became homeowners years earlier than they expected.

Their mortgage payment? Almost the same as what they were paying in rent!

And the best part? Instead of throwing money away on rent every month, they were now building equity in their own home.

Many of Us Have Believed This Myth for Too Long

The truth is, Maria and John’s story isn’t unique—because many of us have believed this 20% down myth for too long.

Maybe you have put off buying a home because you thought you weren’t financially ready. Maybe you have been waiting years to save up a down payment, not realizing that homeownership could be within reach right now.

But here’s the reality:

🚫 Myth: You must have 20% down to buy a home.

✅ Truth: Many loan programs allow you to buy with as little as 3%-5% down, and some even offer zero down options!

🚫 Myth: A lower down payment means insanely high monthly payments.

✅ Truth: While PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) exists for smaller down payments, the cost is often less than waiting years while home prices keep rising.

🚫 Myth: It’s impossible to buy a home without perfect credit or a huge savings account.

✅ Truth: Many programs exist specifically to help first-time buyers, even if your credit isn’t perfect.

What This Means for You

If you’ve been holding off on buying a home because you think you need to save 20%, let Maria and John’s story be your wake-up call!

Here’s what you can do next:

1️⃣ Sign up for our next home-buying seminar – Just like Maria and John, you’ll get expert advice, lender connections, and real solutions to make homeownership a reality.

2️⃣ Talk to a real estate professional – We can help you understand what programs and loans are available for your situation.

3️⃣ Explore down payment assistance – You might qualify for grants or loans that reduce your upfront costs.

4️⃣ Run the numbers – You might be much closer to homeownership than you think!

Maria and John thought homeownership was years away—until they attended a seminar and realized they didn’t need 20% down to buy. Now, they’re building a future in their own home instead of paying rent.

And now, you have the same opportunity to learn what they did!

Thinking about buying a home but not sure where to start? Maybe you’ve been holding off because you think you need 20% down—just like Maria and John once did. But what if we told you that’s just a myth?

Join us for an exclusive, FREE Home Buyers Seminar, where we’ll break down the home-buying process step by step and show you how homeownership can be easier than you think!

What You’ll Learn:

✅ The truth about down payments—how much do you REALLY need?

✅ Loan programs & financing options (some with ZERO down!)

✅ How to get pre-approved and start your home search with confidence

✅ Common mistakes first-time buyers make (and how to avoid them!)

Who Should Attend?

✔️ First-time homebuyers looking to make the leap into homeownership

✔️ Investors searching for smart real estate opportunities

✔️ Anyone curious about how the home-buying process works

Learn directly from industry experts:

🏡 Alyssa Pimentel – Real Estate Team Lead, Team Pimentel at Compass

💰 Logan Brean – SVP of Mortgage Lending, CrossCountry Mortgage

⚖️ Mayra Prado-Pagan – Real Estate Attorney, Law Office of Mayra Prado-Pagan

📍 Location: Waukegan Field House, 800 Baldwin Ave, Waukegan, IL⏰ Date & Time: March 30, 2025 | 12 PM – 2 PM🍽️ FREE lunch provided!

🚀 Our last event SOLD OUT quickly, and seats are filling fast again! Don’t miss this opportunity to take the first step toward owning your dream home.

🔗 Reserve your spot today → https://forms.gle/QNeWe4BMGoFjM6SHA