advice for first time home buyer?

[BG1124]

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BTW the student loan is a stafford federal loan with a 3.75% interest rate if that makes a difference. Obviously debt is debt, but I've heard certian debt like federal student loans are looked at differently.

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Yes this does make a difference. A loan officer would likely give you a lot more slack when it comes to debt from a Stafford loan as compared to an auto loan or credit card debt. Talk to your officer/broker and ask for how your rates would vary going each route.