To Buy My First Home | How

Paint colors, carpet, or landscaping (these are easy to change later). 5. Make an Offer and Negotiate

In most cases, the seller pays the commission, so professional representation is usually free for you. A good agent will find listings, schedule viewings, and—most importantly—handle the intense negotiations. 4. Know Your "Must-Haves" vs. "Nice-to-Haves"

Once your offer is accepted, you enter escrow. Never skip these two steps: how to buy my first home

Avoid making any large purchases (like a new car or furniture on credit) between your pre-approval and closing day, as this can disqualify your loan at the last minute!

When you find "the one," your agent will help you determine a fair price based on "comps" (what similar homes nearby sold for). Don't be afraid to ask for a "seller concession" to help cover your closing costs if the house needs minor repairs. 6. The "Due Diligence" Phase Paint colors, carpet, or landscaping (these are easy

Expect to pay 2% to 5% of the home’s purchase price in taxes, lender fees, and inspections. 2. Get Pre-Approved

While 20% is the gold standard to avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI), many first-time programs allow as little as 3% or 3.5% down. A good agent will find listings, schedule viewings,

A higher score gets you lower interest rates.