By Sarah Baldwin
I started my mortgage career in 2003 and joined First Reliance Bank in 2021 have been leading the First Reliance Mortgage Lending Team for the past few years. Over the years, one thing has stayed the same: I genuinely love helping people find a path to homeownership, no matter how straightforward or complicated their situation might be.
I’m a problem‑solver at heart. I look at every scenario through the lens of What’s the smartest, most cost-effective way to get this borrower where they want to go? Sometimes that means comparing the cost of buying down a rate versus the long‑term savings. Sometimes it means getting creative with grant programs or structuring a plan for someone who isn’t quite ready yet. Every borrower is different—and that’s what keeps this work meaningful.
One of my favorite recent moments was helping a first-time homebuyer secure a $17,500 grant. He didn’t have the funds for a down payment, and this assistance completely changed his life. A lot of people assume they won’t qualify for assistance programs, but the truth is, many do. There are many programs designed to make homeownership more attainable—especially for first-time buyers and for the people who serve our communities every day.
Learn more about the available tools to help families build wealth, allow first-time buyers to enter the market sooner, and support the people who serve our communities every day.
Community Partners Program1
This program is for the people who keep our communities running: law enforcement, educators, healthcare workers, firefighters, first responders, and military members (including veterans and surviving spouses). Eligible buyers can receive up to $20,000 to help with down payment, closing costs, and even repairs.
First‑Time Homebuyer Program2
If you’re buying your first home, you may qualify for up to $17,500 to help with down payment and closing costs. For many families, this is the boost that finally makes homeownership possible.
Eligible properties include:
- Owner-occupied 1-4 family properties
- Townhouses and condos
- Foreclosed properties
- Cooperatives
- Manufactured and Mobile Housing
- New construction (within 45 days of closing)
Workforce Housing Plus+ Program 3
We also offer our own program that provides up to $15,000 for qualified buyers. It’s another way we help reduce the upfront financial burden and make the process more manageable.
What You’ll Need to Do
All of these programs share a few basic requirements:
- Contribute at least $1,000 toward the purchase
- Live in the home as your primary residence
- Complete a homebuyer education course approved by FHLBank Atlanta
Why This Matters
Homeownership isn’t just about buying a house—it’s about stability, opportunity, and building a foundation for the future.
This is exactly why I chose to work for a community bank. Our underwriting and appraisers are local, and when a situation looks tough, we don’t just say “no”—we figure out a plan and make common-sense decisions. Because we’re small and nimble, we can close loans in as little as eight days, which can make a huge difference in today’s competitive market.
And for me, there’s nothing more rewarding than handing someone the keys to a home they never thought they could afford.
If you are ready to take the next step to make your home dreams a reality, reach out to our team and contact us today
1 Community Partners is a product of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta. Household income restrictions and other requirements apply. Please see Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta’s Affordable Housing Program Implementation Plan at www.fhlbatl.com ( link web address to site) for complete product requirements. The homebuyer must have income that is less than or equal to 80 percent of the county area median income or the state median family income for the area, adjusted for family size as published annually by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), whichever is higher
2 First-Time Homebuyer is a product of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta. Household income restrictions and other requirements apply. Please see the Bank’s Affordable Housing Program Implementation Plan at www.fhlbatl.com ( link web address to the site) for more information. Funding is available for owner-occupied homes located within the United States and its territories. The homebuyer must have income that is less than or equal to 80 percent of the county area median income or the state median family income for the area, adjusted for family size as published annually by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), whichever is higher.
3 Workforce Housing Plus+ Program is a product of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta. Household income restrictions and other requirements apply. Please see Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta’s Affordable Housing Program Implementation Plan at www.fhlbatl.com ( link web address to the site) for complete product requirements.
