Buy Your First Home, One Simple Step at a Time

Less than most people think. Conventional loans start at 3% down and FHA loans at 3.5%. On a $400,000 home that’s $12,000–$14,000, not $80,000. VA loans (for eligible veterans) can be zero down.

Putting down 20% lets you skip mortgage insurance, but it is not required — and waiting years to save it often costs more in rising prices and rent than the PMI would.

Around 620 opens the door to most conventional loans, and FHA can go lower with a larger down payment. Higher scores earn lower rates, so it’s worth a quick check — but you don’t need perfect credit to start.

If your score isn’t there yet, we’ll tell you the two or three specific moves that raise it fastest.

Closing costs are the one-time fees to set up the loan and transfer the home — things like appraisal, title, and lender fees. Budget roughly 2–5% of the price (the calculator uses 3%). On a $400,000 home that’s about $12,000.

Sellers can sometimes cover part of them, and some programs roll them in. That’s a conversation we have during pre-approval.

You’re likely ready if: your income is steady, you plan to stay put a few years, your credit is around 620+, and you can cover a down payment plus a small cushion without draining every dollar. The calculator above checks the money side in seconds.

The emotional side matters too — buying makes most sense when you want to stay in one place long enough to build equity.

Pre-approval takes a day or two. House hunting is the wildcard — days to months. Once you’re under contract, closing typically runs 30–45 days. So from “serious” to keys is often 6–10 weeks, plus however long the home search takes.

A buyer’s agent guides you through touring, offers, inspections, and closing. In most cases their fee is arranged as part of the transaction, so you get expert help finding and negotiating your home. Your lender (that’s us) and your agent work as a team on your behalf.