First Home Loan
Navigating the home-buying process can be tricky – especially if you’ve never done it before. The resources in this section will guide first-time homebuyers through the experience by tackling loan types, cost considerations, required documentation, contract terms, and more.
How To Buy Your First Home: Step-by-Step Guide
Clear, step-by-step guidance for first-time buyers: get mortgage-ready, compare loan options, estimate affordability, and close with confidence.
How Much Mortgage Can You Afford? Budget & Calculator
Estimate a mortgage you can afford using your budget, savings, credit, DTI, rates and closing costs, plus rules and tools to plan monthly payments.
How To Repay Your Mortgage Faster: Best Practices
Practical steps to stay current, cut years and interest from your mortgage, and weigh whether extra payments or refinancing fit your finances.
How Much Mortgage Can You Afford? Budget & Calculator
Estimate a mortgage you can afford using your budget, savings, credit, DTI, rates and closing costs, plus rules and tools to plan monthly payments.
How To Repay Your Mortgage Faster: Best Practices
Practical steps to stay current, cut years and interest from your mortgage, and weigh whether extra payments or refinancing fit your finances.
How To Budget When Buying A House
Calculate how much home you can afford, factor in down payment and hidden costs, and follow lender pre-approval steps for confident homebuying.
Using a Co-Signer to Qualify for a Mortgage
How a mortgage co-signer can boost approval odds and lower rates - plus responsibilities, risks, and safer alternatives to protect both parties.
What Mortgage Lenders Look For in a Borrower: 5 Key Factors
Know what lenders check - income, credit, DTI, assets, appraisal - so you can prepare documents, strengthen credit, and improve your mortgage approval odds.
Are Buyer's Agents Worth It?
Six practical reasons to hire a buyer's agent: local market insight, off-market access, smarter negotiations, streamlined showings and post-offer support.
Monthly Housing Costs: Calculate True Homeownership Expenses
Know your true monthly housing costs: taxes, insurance, DTI, maintenance — build a budget to see what mortgage you can afford.
Home Appraisals: Timing, Cost, and Impact on Mortgages
Understand appraisal timing, costs, and steps to prevent or resolve low valuations so your home purchase, sale, or refinance proceeds smoothly.
For Sale By Owner (FSBO) Homes: Pros, Cons & How to Buy
FSBO homes can save you commission but require extra work—how to vet pricing, inspections, contingencies, and whether to hire a buyer's agent.
Mortgage Comparison Guide for First‑Time Homebuyers
Compare fixed vs adjustable, government vs conventional loans, and closing costs to choose the mortgage that fits your first-time home budget and goals.