How to Buy a Home as a First-Time Buyer: A Step-by-Step Guide
Buying your first home is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Between the paperwork, the down payment, and the endless questions (like “Where do I even start?”), it’s easy to get lost. Don’t worry, we’ve broken it down into clear, easy-to-follow steps so you know exactly what to expect.
Step 1: Check Your Finances
Before house hunting, take a look at your money.
What’s your credit score? (The higher it is, the better your loan terms will be, but don’t panic if it’s not perfect. There are options.)
How much have you saved for a down payment and closing costs?
What monthly payment feels comfortable for your budget?
*A tip from our team: Don’t just focus on the house price, think about property taxes, insurance, and HOA fees if they apply.
Step 2: Get Approved (Not Just Pre-Approved)
Most lenders will hand you a pre-approval, which is basically an estimate of what you might qualify for. But here at The Cruz Team, with 18 years of experience, we recommend getting fully approved before you shop.
Why? Because an approval means your documents are already reviewed by underwriting. This makes your offer stand out, gives sellers confidence, and saves you from last-minute surprises.
This is also where you’ll realize you’ve found the right lender (hopefully us!)
Step 3: Explore First-Time Buyer Programs
Here’s the fun part: you have plenty of options. For some people this include downpayment assistance (yes, really). Programs like Florida’s Hometown Heroes can give you up to $35,000 to help with your down payment and closing costs if you qualify. That’s a game-changer for many first-time buyers.
Step 4: Find the Right Home
Now you can start looking! But remember:
Don’t just fall in love with how a home looks. Think about location, commute, schools, and long-term value.
Make a list of your “must-haves” vs. your “nice-to-haves.”
It’s easy to get emotional here, so try to keep the big picture in mind.
Step 5: Make an Offer & Get an Inspection
Once you find “the one,” your agent helps you make an offer. If it’s accepted, you’ll order a home inspection to make sure there are no surprises hiding behind the walls.
Step 6: Close the Deal
This is where everything comes together: paperwork, final loan approval, and your down payment. You’ll sign the dotted line, get the keys, and officially become a homeowner.
Yes, it’s a lot of signatures. But hey, you’ll walk out with keys in your hand.
Buying your first home doesn’t have to be scary
It’s just about knowing the steps and having the right team on your side! We know you need someone to guide you from start to finish, taking care of everything and making the process clear, stress-free, and even a little fun. We’ve already helped over 561 families achieve their homeownership dreams… and now that you’re here, we can help you too.
