Kennewick Mortgage Questions Answered: A Tri-Cities Homebuyer's Guide
By Terry Leinneweber · May 7, 2026
A Kennewick mortgage broker answers common home loan questions for Tri-Cities and Benton County buyers — USDA, Hanford contractor income, FHA, VA, conventional, and refinance.
Buying in Kennewick, Washington? As a Kennewick mortgage broker (Terry Leinneweber, NMLS #2003490), here are the questions Tri-Cities buyers ask most.
1. Affordability
Tri-Cities prices remain among the most accessible in WA.
2. Credit minimums
- FHA 580 / VA 580–620 / Conventional 620 / Jumbo 700+
3. Down payment
VA 0%, USDA 0% in eligible Tri-Cities areas, Conv 97 3%, FHA 3.5%, WSHFC DPA available.
4. Why a broker
30+ wholesale lenders shopped — including for USDA and Hanford contractor 1099 income.
5. Pre-approval
Required before offers in Benton County.
6. Rates
Macro plus your file.
7. Closing costs
2–4% of price.
8. Closing timeline
21–30 days.
9. Hanford contractor income
1099 contractor income counts with proper history; bank statement options available.
10. USDA in the Tri-Cities
Plenty of eligible areas — 0% down with income limits. I pull the eligibility map.
11. VA loans
0% down, no PMI.
12. FHA
3.5% down; great starter loan.
13. Refinance
Free reviews.
14. New construction
Builder-lender comparisons before you commit.
15. Get started
Visit my Kennewick mortgage broker page for Southridge, Canyon Lakes, Creekstone, Richland, and Pasco details, or apply now.
Terry Leinneweber | NMLS #2003490 | WA #MLO-2003490 | Kennewick Mortgage Broker