Guide To Buying Your First House May 2026

These are the fees required to finalize the mortgage, typically ranging from 2% to 5% of the loan amount. You must save for these in addition to your down payment.

Number of bedrooms, school district, proximity to work, a layout that fits your family. guide to buying your first house

For active-duty military, veterans, and surviving spouses, offering zero down payment options. These are the fees required to finalize the

Your lender will hire an independent appraiser to ensure the home is actually worth the amount you agreed to pay. Lenders will not lend more than the appraised value of the home. If the appraisal comes in low, you will have to negotiate a lower price with the seller or pay the difference out of pocket. 4. Final Walk-Through and Closing If the appraisal comes in low, you will

With your pre-approval letter in hand, you are ready to assemble your team and start looking at houses. 1. Hire a Real Estate Agent

It is rare to find a perfect house within a starter-home budget. Distinguish between what you absolutely must have and what would simply be nice to have.