FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS

Buying your first home is a big deal. Let's make sure you actually understand what you're getting into.

There's a lot of noise out there about what you need, what you can afford, and how the process works. Most of it is oversimplified or just wrong. My job is to give you a straight answer — even when that answer is "not yet."

What the process actually looks like:

1. We figure out what you can realistically afford — not just what a calculator says

2. You get pre-approved so you know your real buying power before you fall in love with a house

3. We talk through loan options — there's rarely just one right answer

4. You find a home, we write an offer, and I help you navigate everything from contract to close

5. You get the keys

What first-time buyers are usually surprised by:

• You don't always need 20% down — some programs go as low as 0-3.5%

• Closing costs are separate from your down payment and typically run 2-3% of the loan amount

• Your pre-approval number and your comfortable payment aren't always the same thing

• The process moves faster than most people expect once you're under contract

You don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out. Most of my first-time buyer conversations start with "I don't even know where to begin." That's fine — that's what I'm here for.