Buying your first home? Big milestone. Big emotions. And yes, sometimes big confusion. Suddenly you’re expected to understand terms like escrow, underwriting, and “amortization” (spoiler: it’s not a medical condition).
But don’t worry—you’re not supposed to know everything. That’s what we’re here for. Here’s what you actually need to know to start your homebuying journey with confidence, clarity, and maybe even a little excitement.
1. Get Pre-Approved Before You Go House Hunting
Before you start browsing listings and imagining where the couch will go, get a pre-approval. It gives you a realistic price range to shop in and shows sellers you’re a serious buyer.
And yes—it’s a truly soft credit pull. We’ll get the info we need to give you accurate numbers without impacting your score. No strings. No pressure. Just the facts.
2. You Don’t Need 20% Down (Promise)
That old-school 20% rule? It’s just that—old school. Many first-time buyers qualify for loans with as little as 3% down, and in some cases, even zero down.
We’ll help you compare loan options and find what’s smartest for your situation—not what sounds impressive at dinner parties.
3. There’s Help Available: Down Payment Assistance
Yep, it exists—and no, it’s not too good to be true. Depending on your income, location, and situation, you may qualify for down payment assistance programs that cover part (or all) of your down payment or closing costs.
We’ll check your eligibility and help you apply—because free money isn’t something we like to leave on the table.
4. Expect Closing Costs (But Don’t Panic)
In addition to your down payment, you’ll need to cover closing costs—usually around 1.5% to 2% of the purchase price. These go toward things like your appraisal, title fees, and prepaid property taxes.
We’ll map out every dollar so there are no surprises, and if needed, explore ways to reduce or roll them into the loan.
5. Your Credit Score Matters—But It’s Not Everything
A strong score can mean better rates, but you don’t need perfect credit to get approved. We work with buyers across the credit spectrum and can help you find the best option for where you’re at right now.
And if there’s room to boost your score before locking in a rate? We’ll help you get there.
6. You Don’t Have to Know It All (That’s Our Job)
This process can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to. Our job is to walk you through every step, translate the mortgage-speak into real language, and help you feel totally confident from start to close.
We’ll check in regularly, answer all the “dumb” questions (spoiler: there aren’t any), and make sure everything stays personal, simple, and real
Bottom Line
This might be your first time buying a home—but we’ve helped hundreds of people just like you do it successfully. And you better believe we’re going to make it as stress-free, straightforward, and actually enjoyable as possible.
Want to See What’s Possible?
Run some numbers using our Mortgage Calculator, or reach out for a one-on-one conversation. No pressure. No sales pitch. Just clear answers and real support.