First-time buyer guide

Everything you need to buy your first home

From saving for a down payment to getting your keys — here's the complete roadmap, in plain English.

Pull your credit report from all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) — you can do this free at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Calculate your debt-to-income ratio (DTI): add up all monthly debt payments and divide by your gross monthly income. Most lenders want this below 43%.
Review your savings. You'll need funds for a down payment (3–20% of the home price), closing costs (2–5%), and an emergency reserve.
If your credit score is below 620, spend 3–6 months paying down debt and making on-time payments before applying.

Marshal's tip

A credit score of 580+ qualifies for FHA loans. 620+ opens up conventional loan options.

Ready to put this into action?

Book a free consultation and we'll walk through your specific situation — step by step.