First Keys Indy

Indianapolis First-Time Homebuyer Assistance

This Is Your Time to Move From Renting to Ownership.

Marion County first-time buyers — down payment assistance may be available, and a local Realtor is ready to guide you through every step. Your first move is free.

Get the Free Homebuyer Checklist

Or call Tanya directly: 317-995-4719

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Why This Matters

If You Have Been Renting and Wondering If Homeownership Is Possible — You Are Not Alone.

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Felt Priced Out

Rent keeps going up. Saving for a down payment feels impossible. But you may have more options than you have been shown.

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Unsure Where to Start

The process feels overwhelming. Too many steps, too many rules, too many people telling you different things. Let's simplify it.

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Told No Before

A previous rejection does not define your future. Credit improves. Programs exist. The right guide changes the outcome.

First Keys Indy

Homeownership Builds Wealth. Stability. Legacy.

For too long, too many working families in Indianapolis have felt like the door to ownership was closed — even when they were working hard, paying rent on time, and doing everything right.

First Keys Indy exists to open that door. Not just for one family. For this generation.

“If you are ready, your first key is right here.”

— Tanya Day, Broker/Owner, Elite Realty & Development

Am I Ready?

You May Be Closer Than You Think

You may be ready sooner than expected if any of these sound like you:

You live in Marion County or the Indianapolis area

You have never owned a home (or not in the past few years)

You have steady income — even if it is not high income

You want to stop paying someone else's mortgage every month

You are willing to learn and prepare before you shop

You are ready to take one step at a time

You do not need perfect credit.

You do not need a large savings account. You need a starting point — and that is what the checklist provides.

Tanya Day's Framework

7 Steps to Your First Home in Marion County

This is the exact path Tanya walks with every first-time buyer she works with. Follow it in order — it matters.

01

Partner With a Realtor

Before you do anything else — including looking at houses online — connect with a Realtor who knows the process. This is the step that protects everything that comes after.

02

Prepare Your Credit

Know your credit score now. Address any issues early. You do not need perfect credit — but you need to know where you stand before you apply.

03

Choose the Right Lender

Not all lenders offer the same programs. The right lender depends on your income, credit, and the assistance programs you may qualify for.

04

Get Pre-Approved

Pre-approval tells you exactly what you can afford and shows sellers you are a serious buyer. This is not the same as pre-qualification.

05

Start Shopping for a Home

Now — and only now — you are ready to look. With your Realtor guiding you and your financing in place, you can shop with confidence.

06

Make an Offer and Go Under Contract

Your Realtor leads the offer process. Together you will negotiate, review terms, and protect your interests from first offer to signed contract.

07

Complete Inspection and Appraisal

The inspection checks the home's condition. The appraisal confirms its value. Both protect your investment — and your Realtor guides you through both.

Ready to Start?

The free checklist walks you through every step in plain language. Tanya is available for a free call to walk you through your specific situation.

Get the Free Checklist

Down Payment Help

Assistance May Be Available for Eligible Marion County Buyers

Several programs may help with your down payment and closing costs — including state programs, federal programs, and programs through certain local lenders.

State & Lender Programs

Up to $20,000

Assistance may be available through participating Indiana lenders for eligible first-time buyers at or below certain income thresholds. Funding opens annually on a first-come, first-served basis.

Requires HUD-approved homebuyer education + min. $500 buyer contribution.

First-Generation Buyers

Up to $25,000

If neither you nor your parents have ever owned a home, you may qualify for additional assistance through programs designed specifically for first-generation homebuyers in Indiana.

Income, first-gen status, education, and funding availability apply.

Indiana State Programs

2.5% – 6% of Price

Indiana's state housing authority offers down payment assistance programs available across all Indiana counties, including Marion County, through approved participating lenders.

First-time buyer status and participating lender required.

The buyers who access assistance are the ones who prepare early.

Programs open seasonally with limited funding. Getting ready now puts you in position to act when the window opens. Tanya knows the timing — and which lenders participate.

Program details, income limits, and funding availability are subject to change. Educational information only. Eligibility is determined by the program administrator and participating lender. Not a guarantee of funding or approval.

Get Organized

What You Need to Prepare Before You Buy

Getting these together early makes the entire process faster and shows lenders you are serious.

1

A basic understanding of your credit score

2

Last 2 years of tax returns (W-2s and full 1040s)

3

Two most recent pay stubs

4

Two most recent bank statements (all pages)

5

Government-issued photo ID

6

Completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course

7

A minimum $500 buyer contribution (required by most programs)

The full document list is inside the free checklist. Download it below.

Avoid These Mistakes

What Not to Do Before You Buy

These are the most common moves that derail a home purchase — even after a buyer is pre-approved.

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Do not open new credit cards or take out new loans

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Do not finance a car or furniture before closing

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Do not quit your job or change careers right before applying

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Do not make large, unexplained cash deposits

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Do not start shopping before you have a Realtor and a lender

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Do not assume you do not qualify without speaking to a professional

Tanya Day — Broker/Owner, Elite Realty & Development

Your Guide

Tanya Day

Broker / Owner — Elite Realty & Development

Tanya Day is an Indianapolis Realtor who believes homeownership should be accessible to every family that is ready to build something lasting.

As a Broker and Owner, Tanya works with first-time buyers, first-generation buyers, and families who have felt overlooked by the traditional real estate process. Her 7-step framework has helped Marion County buyers move from renting to owning — one step at a time.

The readiness call is free. The checklist is free. The first conversation costs you nothing — and it could change everything.

317-995-4719

Free Download

Get the Marion County Homebuyer Readiness Checklist

Tanya Day's step-by-step guide for Marion County first-time buyers. Free. Plain language. No pressure.

Your information is private. We do not sell or share your data. Unsubscribe any time.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Book a free readiness call and Tanya will answer them personally.

Or call Tanya: 317-995-4719

Your First Key Is Right Here

This Is Your Time.

The checklist is free. The call is free. The only thing that costs you is waiting.

Get the Free Checklist
317-995-4719