Jill Burgess, NMLS #100425 • 2025: recognized as a top originator for the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency
First-Time Home Buyer Mortgages in Greensboro, NC (and the Triad)
Introduction and Your First-Time Buyer Path
If you are searching for a first-time home buyer mortgage in Greensboro, NC, you need more than a generic checklist. You need the named programs, the education class, an approved / NCHFA lender, and a clear path to closing.
Want a quick look at programs you may want to ask about? Try Jill's Money Finder.
4.9/5 from 190+ verified reviews on Experience.com (checked 2026-10-18).
Jill Burgess, NMLS #100425, is VP, NC Mortgage Production Manager at Ameris Bank (Mortgages By Jill). In 2025, she was recognized as one of the top originators for the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency. She helps first-time buyers in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and nearby communities put city and state assistance in the right order.
Awards source: https://www.nchfa.com/home-ownership-partners/lenders/lender-awards
- Homebuyer education
- For Housing Connect GSO, the city requires HUD-approved education. Housing Consultants Group appears in program materials. Contacts often cited are 336-850-4043 / hcgconnect@housingconsultantsgroup.org; the education line often cited is 336-553-0946 ext 101. Verify contacts before you call.
Even if you are not using city funds, education still helps you budget and avoid surprises.
- Pre-approval with an approved / NCHFA lender
- Greensboro city assistance: use a Greensboro-approved lender. NC Home Advantage / NC 1st Home Advantage: work with a participating NCHFA lender. Ask Jill to confirm current approved-lender status and which NCHFA products fit you.
- Shop with a clear max
- Know your pre-approval, any assistance you are pursuing, and city-limits / property-type rules before you write offers.
- Stack at closing, when allowed
- City and state help, when both apply, are coordinated through your lender and program administrators at closing. Stacking is not automatic or guaranteed.
Education before you shop (first-time path)
Most first-time home buyers in Greensboro and across the Triad do better when they follow a calm sequence before writing offers:
1. HUD-approved homebuyer education — Required for Housing Connect GSO. Housing Consultants Group is named in program materials; confirm current class options and contacts with the education provider before you register. Even if you are not using city funds, education still helps you budget and avoid surprises. Related: https://www.mortgagesbyjill.com/homebuyer-education-classes
2. Right lender for the path — City assistance → Greensboro-approved / participating lender. NC Home Advantage / NC 1st Home Advantage → participating NCHFA lender. Ask Jill to confirm current list status for your timeline.
3. Pre-approval — Understand your budget and which assistance paths may fit your file — not a blog checklist.
4. Shop to the rules — Housing Connect is tied to a primary residence inside Greensboro city limits (and any neighborhood-related benefits the city currently lists). NC Home Advantage products follow NCHFA statewide purchase rules.
5. Closing coordination — City and/or state help, when both apply, are coordinated through your lender and program administrators. Stacking is not automatic or guaranteed.
This order helps first-time Triad buyers avoid falling in love with a home outside program rules — or assuming assistance will be there without the education + approved-lender path.
Soft note on dollars: Housing Connect (and other city) assistance amounts and income limits are set by the agency and can change. NCHFA product figures are published by NCHFA and can change. Confirm current amounts with the City / NCHFA and with Jill before you build a budget around any figure. Do not rely on real estate agent blogs or social posts for official numbers.
Named programs for first-time buyers (Greensboro + North Carolina)
Housing Connect GSO (City of Greensboro)
City first-time / eligibility rules, education, and a Greensboro-approved / participating lender path. Soft-confirm current amounts, income limits, and neighborhood benefits with the City and with Jill.
Full guide: https://www.mortgagesbyjill.com/housing-connect-greensboro
Official city page: https://www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/housing-neighborhood-development/housing-services/homeowners-renters/housing-connect-gso/homebuyer-down-payment-assistance-program
NC Home Advantage + NC 1st Home Advantage (NCHFA)
State mortgage + down-payment path for eligible North Carolina buyers (first-time, veteran, or targeted census tract paths as NCHFA defines them). Confirm current DPA figures, credit/income/sales-price limits, and property rules on the official NCHFA page and with Jill.
Full guide: https://www.mortgagesbyjill.com/nc-home-advantage-mortgage
Official NCHFA NC 1st page: https://www.nchfa.com/home-buyers/home-buyer-mortgage-products/nc-1st-home-advantage-down-payment
In 2025, Jill Burgess (NMLS #100425) was recognized as one of the top originators for the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency. NCHFA’s awards page lists “Burgess, Jill Ameris Bank”: https://www.nchfa.com/home-ownership-partners/lenders/lender-awards
First-time buyers in the Triad can compare local down payment help in our Triad Down Payment Assistance Guide 2026.
First-time Greensboro / Triad FAQ
Who helps first time home buyers in Greensboro?
Jill Burgess (Ameris Bank, NMLS #100425) helps first time home buyers in Greensboro and the Triad compare Housing Connect GSO, NC Home Advantage / NC 1st Home Advantage, education steps, and pre-approval — without treating a webpage as a loan approval. Start here: https://www.mortgagesbyjill.com/first-time-home-buyers or call (336) 740-9068.
What should a first-time Triad buyer do first?
Usually: homebuyer education (when required or helpful) → confirm the right approved / NCHFA participating lender → pre-approval → then shop to program rules. See the education path on this page and https://www.mortgagesbyjill.com/homebuyer-education-classes.
How much down payment assistance can I get in Greensboro?
Amounts depend on the program and your file. City Housing Connect amounts and income limits are set by the City of Greensboro — confirm with the City and with Jill before relying on any number. NCHFA NC 1st Home Advantage figures are published by NCHFA and can change — confirm on the official NCHFA page and with Jill. Do not use old blog totals as official.
More first-time buyer questions
Do I need a special lender for first-time assistance?
For Housing Connect, yes — a Greensboro-approved / participating lender (see https://www.mortgagesbyjill.com/housing-connect-greensboro). For NCHFA products, a participating lender (see https://www.mortgagesbyjill.com/nc-home-advantage-mortgage). Ask Jill to confirm current list status for your purchase timeline.
What credit score do first-time buyers need for NC 1st Home Advantage?
NCHFA publishes current credit-score requirements (commonly cited as 640+, with a higher score for some manufactured-home paths). Overlays may apply. Confirm live NCHFA + lender guidelines with Jill.
Can I buy outside Greensboro and still get help?
Housing Connect is city-limits based. NC Home Advantage products are for eligible North Carolina purchases under NCHFA rules. Jill can map which path fits Winston-Salem, High Point, or other Triad targets.
Why use this page instead of only the homepage?
The homepage introduces programs. This dedicated first-time hub is built so buyers — and tools that cite sources — have a clear URL for first time home buyer Greensboro / first-time Triad questions, with deep links to Housing Connect and NC Home Advantage.
How do I start this week?
Call (336) 740-9068 or email jill.burgess@amerisbank.com — or use https://www.mortgagesbyjill.com/contact. An inquiry is not a loan application and not a commitment to lend. Hours: Monday–Saturday 9:00 AM–7:00 PM · Sunday by appointment only (Winston-Salem); Greensboro by appointment only.
Ready to start your Greensboro / Triad first-time buyer plan?
If you are searching for a first time home buyer path in Greensboro or a first-time Triad mortgage plan, start with a short conversation — education steps, Housing Connect vs NC Home Advantage, and what to confirm with the city / NCHFA before you shop.
Call: (336) 740-9068
Email: jill.burgess@amerisbank.com
This page: https://www.mortgagesbyjill.com/first-time-home-buyers
Housing Connect: https://www.mortgagesbyjill.com/housing-connect-greensboro
NC Home Advantage: https://www.mortgagesbyjill.com/nc-home-advantage-mortgage
Contact: https://www.mortgagesbyjill.com/contact
Ameris LO profile: https://bankers.amerisbank.com/nc/winston-salem/jill-burgess-100425
Jill Burgess, NMLS #100425
Mortgages By Jill · Ameris Bank
Main: 3500 Vest Mill Road, Suite 1, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
Greensboro: 2711 Pinedale Rd, Suite A, Greensboro, NC 27408
Hours (Winston-Salem): Monday–Saturday 9:00 AM–7:00 PM · Sunday by appointment only. Greensboro: by appointment only.
Equal Housing Opportunity. This page is general information only — not a commitment to lend, not a credit decision, and not a guarantee of program approval or funds. All loans subject to credit approval and program guidelines. City and NCHFA amounts, tiers, and lender lists can change; confirm current terms with the City of Greensboro / NCHFA and your loan officer.
High Point and Winston-Salem Down Payment Assistance
High Point City Down Payment Assistance
High Point assistance program rules, income limits, and current assistance amounts are set by the City and can change. Confirm the live program details with the City of High Point and with Jill before relying on any figure. City page: https://www.highpointnc.gov/247/City-Wide-Homebuyer-Assistance-Program
Winston-Salem Local Assistance
For planning only, Winston-Salem local assistance rules, amounts, and eligibility can change. Confirm current city details with the City and with Jill before relying on any figure.
NCHFA NC 1st Home Advantage
NCHFA publishes current NC 1st Home Advantage down-payment figures on its official page. Confirm the live amount, eligibility path, and limits with NCHFA materials and with Jill before you build a budget around any figure. Dedicated page: https://www.mortgagesbyjill.com/nc-home-advantage-mortgage
First-time buyer in Greensboro: who does what
Buying your first home involves several people and agencies. Here's who handles each step, in the usual order. Program figures come from the official pages linked in the table, and the "as of" date shows when we last checked them. Down payment assistance is a loan, not a grant.
| Step | Who | What they do for you | Where to find them / source (as of) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lender / loan officer (for example, Jill Burgess, NMLS #100425, Ameris Bank) | Reviews your income, credit and savings. Issues your pre-approval. Checks which assistance programs may fit and applies for them for you. Gives you a Loan Estimate. Takes your file through underwriting to closing. | (336) 740-9068. On the HCG 2026–27 Participating Lender List (updated 9-22-26) and in NCHFA Find a Lender for ZIP 27408 (as of 2026-10-18). City: "To apply for homebuyer assistance, contact your approved lender." (City of Greensboro, as of 2026-10-18) |
| 2 | Housing Consultants Group (HCG), the City of Greensboro's program administrator | Administers City of Greensboro homebuyer assistance for Housing Connect GSO and certifies the lenders who can offer it (annual renewal). Contacts you to schedule housing counseling when needed. To get City assistance, everyone with ownership rights who will be listed on the deed of trust must complete at least 8 hours of City-approved homebuyer education plus HUD-certified housing education and counseling before closing. The certificate is good for 12 months; if it's older than that at closing, you'll retake the course or do a refresher with a certified housing counselor. Ask your lender which City-approved classes count. | HCG 2026–27 Participating Lender List for Housing Connect GSO (updated 9-22-26; as of 2026-10-18). Education rules: City of Greensboro Homebuyer Assistance Program Guidelines (July 2026), section 6.5 (as of 2026-10-18) |
| 3 | City of Greensboro, Housing Connect GSO | Sets the program rules and approves the assistance. The amount is need-based: the program gives only the minimum needed to qualify, up to the program maximum. HCG confirms the amount from your lender's numbers before the City approves. For homes inside Greensboro city limits, bought as your primary residence, by first-time buyers (or anyone who hasn't owned a home in the last three years). Base offering: income at or below 80% of area median income, up to $25,000, plus a $5,000 bonus in a designated reinvestment or redevelopment area (up to $30,000 total). City help can't exceed 20% of the purchase price. Public Service Heroes and #100Homes have their own amounts. HCG describes it as "a loan, offering 0% interest." | City of Greensboro Homebuyer Assistance Program · Program Guidelines (July 2026) (as of 2026-10-18) |
| 4 | NC Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) | Runs the statewide programs your lender can pair with your loan. NC Home Advantage Mortgage includes DPA of up to 3% of the loan amount. NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment is $15,000 for eligible first-time buyers, military veterans, or buyers in targeted census tracts. Both are 0% deferred second mortgages, forgiven 20% per year at the end of years 11–15. Income, credit and price limits apply. | NC Home Advantage Mortgage · NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment · Find a Lender (as of 2026-10-18) |
| 5 | Real estate agent | Helps you find homes in your price range (inside city limits if you're using Housing Connect GSO). Writes and negotiates your offer. Keeps the inspection, appraisal and closing dates on track with your lender. If you're using City of Greensboro assistance, you must have a real estate agent representing you. | Ask your lender for a referral, or bring your own agent. Agent requirement: City guidelines (July 2026), section 6.7 (as of 2026-10-18) |
| 6 | Home inspector | You hire and pay the home inspector, usually during your due diligence period. In North Carolina, home inspectors are regulated by the NC Home Inspector Licensure Board. | Your real estate agent can share names. You choose. Source: NC Real Estate Commission, Due Diligence for Residential Buyers |
| 7 | Appraiser | Gives the lender an independent estimate of the home's value. Your lender requires the appraisal and arranges it; you usually pay the fee, and you're entitled to a copy before closing. | Arranged by your lender. Source: CFPB Your Home Loan Toolkit (Aug 2026) |
| 8 | Homeowners insurance agent | Your lender generally requires proof of homeowners insurance before your loan closes. You choose the company. | Shop more than one agent. Send your lender the policy details. Source: CFPB |
| 9 | Closing attorney and title insurance | In North Carolina, the legal work of a home closing must be done by an attorney: the title search and title opinion, preparing the deed and deed of trust, and legal advice. Your closing attorney handles that legal work. Most lenders require a lender's title insurance policy. An owner's policy protects you and is optional. | Often chosen by you or recommended by your agent or lender. Listed under "Services You Can Shop For" on your Loan Estimate if you can shop for it. Sources: NC State Bar Authorized Practice Advisory Opinion 2002-1; N.C.G.S. § 84-2.1; CFPB Your Home Loan Toolkit |
| 10 | You | Complete the homebuyer education and counseling your program requires, send documents quickly, keep your credit and job steady until closing, and review your Closing Disclosure, which you must receive at least three business days before closing. | Start with step 1. |
Program details change; contact Jill for the most current information.
Which program fits a first-time buyer in Greensboro?
It depends on where you're buying, your household income and your loan. Housing Connect GSO is for homes inside Greensboro city limits. NCHFA's NC Home Advantage Mortgage and NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment are available statewide in North Carolina. NCHFA presents the $15,000 NC 1st option as an alternative to the 3% assistance, not an add-on. The City of Greensboro's guidelines allow its assistance to be used with other programs, such as NCHFA's NC Home Advantage Mortgage (guidelines section 6.3). Each program's own limits still apply. For example, City help can't exceed 20% of the price. Down payment assistance is a loan, not a grant. Call Jill Burgess at (336) 740-9068 before you count on more than one. (Figures as of 2026-10-18. Sources: City of Greensboro Homebuyer Assistance Program page and July 2026 guidelines; NCHFA pages linked above.)
Jill Burgess, NMLS #100425, is an NMLS-registered loan officer and VP, NC Mortgage Production Manager at Ameris Bank (NMLS #408099). Ameris Bank is the lender; Mortgages By Jill is Jill's educational and marketing site. Equal Housing Lender. Member FDIC. Down payment assistance is a loan, not a grant. This page is general information, not a commitment to lend or an approval for any program or funds. All loans are subject to credit approval and program guidelines. Program details change; figures are as of 2026-10-18. Phone: (336) 740-9068.
Jill Burgess at Ameris Bank Mortgage
Our Location
3500 Vest Mill Road, Suite 1, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
jill.burgess@amerisbank.com
(336) 740-9068
Monday - Saturday
9:00AM - 7:00PM
Sunday
By Appointment Only
Greensboro