Pasco · First-Time Buyers
First-Time Home Buyers in Pasco
Every step explained before you take it, from pre-approval to keys in hand.
First-time home buyers in Pasco
First-time home buyers in Pasco have more choices than they expect: established homes in East Pasco, newer neighborhoods in West Pasco, and brand-new construction with builder incentives. The right one depends on your budget, your commute and how much work you want to take on.
I'm Brandon Muzatko, a REALTOR® and Washington Managing Broker with TKO Realty Group at Real Broker, LLC. I explain every cost, deadline and decision before you reach it.
"Brandon always made sure to educate during the whole process, and clearly explained each step to us to make sure we knew ALL of our options before making any big decisions." First-time buyer
Your first Pasco purchase, step by step
- Loan options. FHA can be 3.5% down with a 580 credit score, some conventional programs 3%, and VA or USDA 0% for those who qualify. Ask your lender whether a property on Pasco's rural edges qualifies for USDA.
- Down payment help. The Washington State Housing Finance Commission offers help for qualifying buyers.
- The real costs. Earnest money is negotiable. Inspection about $500, appraisal about $700, closing costs often about 2%.
- Seller and builder credits. Credits can cover part of your closing costs. I've had first-time buyers come away with about $29,200 in negotiated concessions.
More on first-time home buyers.
New build or older home?
A new West Pasco home costs more up front but usually needs less work for years. An older East Pasco home can cost less but may need repairs, and FHA or VA lenders can require some fixed before they'll fund. I'll point out what I see on every tour, and we'll still inspect a new build, because builders make mistakes too.
If you go the new-construction route, bring me on your first visit to the builder. Their sales office works for the builder.
Start as a first-time buyer in Pasco
Prefer to start with videos? The Tactical Buyer Course walks through each step for free. Also see buying a home in Pasco and first-time buyers in Kennewick, then contact me to start as a first-time home buyer in Pasco.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a USDA loan in Pasco?
Only for eligible homes in qualifying rural areas, with income limits. Ask your lender whether a specific address qualifies.
Are builder incentives worth it for a first-time buyer?
Sometimes. Compare the incentive with the price and with what a resale home would cost. I'll lay them side by side.
How much do I need to buy my first home in Pasco?
It depends on the loan: 3.5% for FHA, as little as 3% on some conventional programs, 0% for VA or USDA if you qualify, plus closing costs and inspection fees.
Pasco
What first-time buyers looks like in Pasco
North of the river, with older East Pasco and fast-growing West Pasco.
North of the river, with older East Pasco and fast-growing West Pasco.
- The homes
- Two sides locals talk about: East Pasco, the older part of town with downtown Pasco, and West Pasco, the newer side with a lot of new construction and brand-new neighborhoods. Some neighborhoods are older, others are brand new, and there is a lot of building going on. Northern Pasco has a lot of farmland.
- Why people choose it
- About 82,990 people (2025 estimate, TRIDEC), and the fastest-growing of the three big cities, up about 23,000 people since 2010. Pasco is the county seat of Franklin County.
- Schools people ask about
- Pasco School District: three high schools (Pasco, Chiawana and Sageview, which opened in 2025), four middle schools and 18 elementary schools.
- Getting around
- On the north side of the Columbia River. US 395 and I-182 run through town, and the Tri-Cities Airport, where anyone flying commercially in the area flies out of, is in Pasco.
- Nearby
- Road 68 in West Pasco is a major commercial strip with Walmart, Lowe's and plenty of shopping and restaurants. Gesa Stadium is home to the Tri-City Dust Devils minor league baseball team. Pasco's new aquatics center in West Pasco opened in summer 2026. Downtown hosts the Pasco Farmers Market from May through October, and the Pasco Flea Market, Washington's largest open-air flea market, runs on weekends from March to October. Columbia Basin College is in Pasco too, and so is Lourdes Medical Center.
First-Time Buyers: keep exploring
Ready to make your move with TKO Realty Group?