First-Time Homebuyer's Guide

Moving from renting to owning is a big lifestyle shift, and building equity is only part of the equation. Most housing experts suggest planning to stay in a home for at least five years, giving you time to recover closing costs and build meaningful equity. Before you start browsing listings, it's worth asking yourself a few honest questions: Are you ready to commit to one location for several years? Are you prepared for ongoing maintenance - mowing the lawn, fixing a leaky faucet, or coordinating a repair? Is your income stable or likely to grow?

On the financial side, ask whether you have a reliable income stream, enough saved for a down payment, closing costs, and an emergency fund, and whether your current debt leaves room for a new mortgage payment alongside property taxes, insurance, and possible HOA dues.

When you apply for a mortgage, lenders typically review four core areas: your credit history, your existing debt, the stability of your income, and your available assets and cash reserves. A stronger credit profile and steady, verifiable income generally make it easier to qualify and can help you access more competitive terms. Self-employed borrowers or those with variable income may simply need to provide some additional documentation.

Your credit score reflects how you’ve managed debt over time - your payment history, how much of your available credit you’re using, the length of your credit history, and your mix of accounts. Lenders review both your score and your full credit report to gauge risk, and generally, a higher score can help you access more competitive rates.

It’s worth reviewing your credit report before you apply. You’re entitled to a free copy from each of the three nationwide credit bureaus every 12 months, and checking your own credit doesn’t affect your score. Minimum credit score requirements vary by loan program - many conventional loans look for scores in the 620-640 range, while government-backed programs like FHA can be more flexible.

A common misconception is that you need 20% down to buy a home. While a 20% down payment helps you avoid mortgage insurance on a conventional loan, it isn't a requirement - many buyers put down far less. Conventional loans can go as low as 3% for qualifying first-time buyers, FHA loans typically require 3.5%, and VA loans can offer 0% down for eligible service members and veterans.

Beyond the down payment, plan for closing costs - fees paid to third parties to complete the transaction, typically 2% to 6% of the loan amount. These often include appraisal fees, title insurance, loan origination fees, and prepaid property taxes and insurance. Depending on the loan program and negotiation, some closing costs can sometimes be rolled into the loan or offset through seller concessions.

It’s also worth budgeting for other upfront costs that come with buying a home: a home inspection, your earnest money deposit, moving expenses, utility deposits, and any immediate repairs or updates you want to make before moving in.

Lenders typically evaluate affordability using your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) - your total monthly debt payments (including your projected mortgage payment, taxes, insurance, and any HOA dues) compared to your gross monthly income. Requirements vary by loan program, but many allow total debt obligations up to roughly 45-55% of gross monthly income.

That said, what a lender approves and what feels comfortable for your household budget aren’t always the same number. Even if you qualify for a certain loan amount, you might choose a lower price point to leave room for savings or other goals. We can help you find that balance, or you can use our mortgage calculators to see how different rates and down payments affect your monthly payment.

A pre-qualification is a quicker, informal review, typically done directly with a loan officer, giving you an early estimate of what you may be able to borrow based on the financial information you provide. It’s a great first step to get a general sense of your budget.

A pre-approval goes further: your income, debts, and credit are verified by an underwriter, resulting in a clear, lender-verified estimate of what you can borrow. Having a pre-approval in hand shows sellers you’re a serious, qualified buyer - which can make a real difference in a competitive market. Either way, we’ll review your income, debts, and credit to help you focus your search on homes within your actual range.

To keep your application moving smoothly, it helps to gather your documentation early. Most lenders will ask for recent pay stubs, W-2s from the past two years, and federal tax returns (plus 1099s or profit-and-loss statements if you’re self-employed); bank statements from the last two months along with any retirement or investment account records; documentation for any child support, rental income, or gift funds; and a list of your current monthly debts.

Many buyers don't realize there are programs designed to help with upfront costs. Down payment assistance programs can help cover some or all of your down payment, sometimes structured as a deferred-payment loan, a low-interest second mortgage, or in some cases a grant that doesn't need to be repaid. Closing cost assistance works similarly, often based on income and purchase price.

There are also targeted programs worth knowing about - for example, HUD's Good Neighbor Next Door program offers discounts for law enforcement, teachers, firefighters, and EMTs, and nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity offer additional pathways to homeownership for qualifying buyers. Availability varies by state and locality, so it's worth asking us what you might qualify for.