{"id":22865,"date":"2026-03-05T07:06:58","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T12:06:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/?p=22865"},"modified":"2026-04-07T17:13:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T21:13:41","slug":"steps-to-buying-a-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/blog\/steps-to-buying-a-house\/","title":{"rendered":"Essential First Steps to Buying a House: Buyer\u2019s Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"22865\" class=\"elementor elementor-22865\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4400f29 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4400f29\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-acdf9a6\" data-id=\"acdf9a6\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8949f53 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8949f53\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buying your first home can be very exciting, but it\u2019s also frequently overwhelming. Between saving for a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, checking your credit, comparing mortgage options, touring properties, and then waiting not-so-patiently for your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closing date<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it\u2019s easy to feel like everything is happening all at once.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The good news is that you don\u2019t need to know everything right away. You just need a clear plan and an honest understanding of your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">financial situation<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s what to consider when looking at the essential <strong><em>First Steps to Buying a House\u00a0<\/em><\/strong> and how to break the process into manageable actions, so you can move from \u201cjust browsing\u201d to holding the keys to your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">new home<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2bef34a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2bef34a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-855d5dd\" data-id=\"855d5dd\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8ac7da4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"8ac7da4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\">        \n            \n            <div class=\"fit_content\">\n                <div class=\"bd_toc_container\" data-fixedWidth=\"\">\n                    <div class=\"bd_toc_wrapper\" data-wrapperPadding=\"90px\">\n                        <div class=\"bd_toc_wrapper_item\">\n                            <div class=\"bd_toc_header active\" data-headerPadding=\"2px\">\n                                <div class=\"bd_toc_header_title\">\n                                    Table of Contents                                <\/div>\n                                <div class=\"bd_toc_switcher_hide_show_icon\">\n                                    <span class=\"bd_toc_arrow\"><\/span>                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"bd_toc_content list-type-none\">\n                                <div class=\"bd_toc_content_list \">\n                                    <div class='bd_toc_content_list_item'>    <ul>\n      <li class=\"first\">\n        <a href=\"#key-takeaways\">Key Takeaways <\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#getting-started-on-the-steps-to-buying-a-house\">Getting Started On The Steps To Buying A House<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#credit-score-preapproval-essentials-in-buying-a-house\">Credit Score &amp; Preapproval: Essentials In Buying A House<\/a>\n        <ul class=\"menu_level_2\">\n          <li class=\"first\">\n            <a href=\"#your-credit-score\">Your Credit Score<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li class=\"last\">\n            <a href=\"#mortgage-pre-qualification\">Mortgage Pre-Qualification<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#credit-reports-as-a-step-to-home-ownership\">Credit Reports As A Step To Home Ownership<\/a>\n        <ul class=\"menu_level_2\">\n          <li class=\"first last\">\n            <a href=\"#what-to-do-if-you-find-errors\">What To Do If You Find Errors<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#navigating-the-mortgage-preapproval-stage\">Navigating The Mortgage Preapproval Stage\n<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#how-to-calculate-affordability-and-budget-for-your-dream-home\">How To Calculate Affordability And Budget For Your Dream Home\n<\/a>\n        <ul class=\"menu_level_2\">\n          <li class=\"first\">\n            <a href=\"#the-importance-of-your-down-payment\">The Importance Of Your Down Payment<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li class=\"last\">\n            <a href=\"#planning-for-closing-costs\">Planning For Closing Costs<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#choosing-a-realtor-who-ll-guide-you-through-the-steps-to-buying-a-house\">Choosing A Realtor: Who\u2019ll Guide You Through The Steps To Buying A House<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#starting-house-hunting-the-next-step-in-buying-a-house\">Starting House Hunting: The Next Step In Buying A House\n<\/a>\n        <ul class=\"menu_level_2\">\n          <li class=\"first\">\n            <a href=\"#prioritizing-home-features\">Prioritizing Home Features<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li class=\"last\">\n            <a href=\"#exploring-neighborhoods\">Exploring Neighborhoods<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#submitting-an-offer-making-it-official\">Submitting An Offer: Making It Official<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#home-inspection-and-appraisal-critical-to-buying-a-home\">Home Inspection And Appraisal: Critical To Buying A Home<\/a>\n        <ul class=\"menu_level_2\">\n          <li class=\"first\">\n            <a href=\"#the-role-of-the-home-inspector\">The Role Of The Home Inspector<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li class=\"last\">\n            <a href=\"#understanding-the-appraisal-process\">Understanding The Appraisal Process<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#homeowners-insurance-to-protect-your-investment\">Homeowners Insurance To Protect Your Investment<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#closing-is-the-final-step-to-buying-a-house\">Closing Is The Final Step To Buying A House\n<\/a>\n        <ul class=\"menu_level_2\">\n          <li class=\"first\">\n            <a href=\"#final-walk-through-your-last-look\">Final Walk-Through: Your Last Look<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li class=\"last\">\n            <a href=\"#navigating-closing-day\">Navigating Closing Day<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/li>\n      <li class=\"last\">\n        <a href=\"#faqs-about-the-steps-to-buying-a-house\">FAQs About The Steps To Buying A House<\/a>\n        <ul class=\"menu_level_2\">\n          <li class=\"first\">\n            <a href=\"#what-are-the-initial-steps-to-buying-a-house-that-should-be-taken-first\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat are the initial steps to buying a house that should be taken first?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#how-does-my-credit-score-affect-the-home-buying-process\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow does my credit score affect the home-buying process?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#what-s-the-difference-between-mortgage-pre-qualification-and-pre-approval\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat\u2019s the difference between mortgage pre-qualification and pre-approval?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#how-can-i-improve-my-mortgage-pre-approval-odds-when-buying-a-house\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow can I improve my mortgage pre-approval odds when buying a house?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#how-do-you-calculate-home-affordability-in-the-steps-to-buying-a-house\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow do you calculate home affordability in the steps to buying a house?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#what-should-i-know-about-down-payments\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat should I know about down payments?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#how-do-closing-costs-work-when-buying-a-house\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow do closing costs work when buying a house?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#why-is-choosing-the-right-realtor-important\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhy is choosing the right Realtor important?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#how-do-i-start-house-hunting\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow do I start house hunting?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#what-role-does-a-home-inspection-play-in-buying-a-house\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat role does a home inspection play in buying a house?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#how-important-is-the-appraisal-in-buying-a-house\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow important is the appraisal in buying a house?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li>\n            <a href=\"#what-should-i-know-about-homeowners-insurance\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat should I know about homeowners\u2019 insurance?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n          <li class=\"last\">\n            <a href=\"#what-happens-during-closing-on-a-home\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat happens during closing on a home?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n            <ul class=\"menu_level_3\">\n              <li class=\"first\">\n                <a href=\"#for-more-info\">For More Info<\/a>\n              <\/li>\n              <li class=\"last\">\n                <a href=\"#for-expert-first-time-home-buyer-advice-contact-jake-maines-today\">For Expert First-Time Home Buyer Advice: Contact Jake Maines Today!<\/a>\n              <\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n          <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n<\/div>                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"layout_toggle_button\">\n                        <span class=\"bd_toc_arrow\"><\/span>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d40f7ae elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d40f7ae\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4da68b2\" data-id=\"4da68b2\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1589c8a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1589c8a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='key-takeaways'  id=\"boomdevs_1\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Key Takeaways <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0cf31e8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0cf31e8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The steps to buying a house can seem overwhelming, with multiple requirements along the way. Your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Realtor<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can make the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home-buying process<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> easier than you expect.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Work with your agent on how to buy a house that\u2019s right for your needs <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a good deal.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s important to reach out to a Realtor early, so they can provide insight to help you build up your credit. Then, you can apply for the mortgage type that\u2019s best suited to your needs.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The steps to buying a house include improving your credit, choosing the right mortgage, and understanding key aspects like <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyer<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> programs, negotiation, inspections, and appraisals.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To improve your knowledge, check out essential <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/blog\/first-time-home-buying-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home-buying tips <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that can help you feel more prepared and confident as you move through your buying journey.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab9c524 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ab9c524\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='getting-started-on-the-steps-to-buying-a-house'  id=\"boomdevs_2\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Getting Started On The Steps To Buying A House<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-05ec9a7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"05ec9a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1235\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/first-time-buyers-home-buying-process-scaled-1.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-30840\" alt=\"researching the first steps to buying a house online for the first time\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/first-time-buyers-home-buying-process-scaled-1.webp 1235w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/first-time-buyers-home-buying-process-scaled-1-300x194.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/first-time-buyers-home-buying-process-scaled-1-1024x663.webp 1024w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/first-time-buyers-home-buying-process-scaled-1-768x497.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6ac45e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c6ac45e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s nothing quite as exciting as owning your own home. As first-time buyers, there are numerous elements of the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/topics\/buying_a_home\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home-buying process<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you need to understand before jumping in to make an offer and move in. The good news is that there are some specific steps to buying a house and important <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home-buying<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> tips to consider, so you can get the insights and tools you need to make the best buying decision for yourself.<\/span>\n\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s what you should know about the entire process, from being emotionally ready to buy a home to being confident that you can make a mortgage payment with ease. Following some careful <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyer<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> steps can mean a great house to call home and a better overall experience.<\/span>\n\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you move forward with buying a house, make sure to set up your basic goals for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home ownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. For example, take the time to ask yourself:<\/span>\n<ul>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How long do you want to live in this home?<\/span><\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do you want to invest in a specific area?<\/span><\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What needs do you have for this home?<\/span><\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much do you want your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">monthly mortgage payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to be?<\/span><\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What type of home fits your needs?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s a big decision. Before you make it, make sure you have the know-how to make wise financial decisions confidently.<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bdfeb0d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bdfeb0d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='credit-score-preapproval-essentials-in-buying-a-house'  id=\"boomdevs_3\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Credit Score &amp; Preapproval: Essentials In Buying A House<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94f9803 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"94f9803\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Credit-Score-Preapproval-Essentials-In-The-Steps-to-Buying-a-House-2048x1365-1-1024x683.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-30846\" alt=\"Checking credit score and mortgage preapproval documents before buying a house\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Credit-Score-Preapproval-Essentials-In-The-Steps-to-Buying-a-House-2048x1365-1-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Credit-Score-Preapproval-Essentials-In-The-Steps-to-Buying-a-House-2048x1365-1-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Credit-Score-Preapproval-Essentials-In-The-Steps-to-Buying-a-House-2048x1365-1-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Credit-Score-Preapproval-Essentials-In-The-Steps-to-Buying-a-House-2048x1365-1-105x70.webp 105w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Credit-Score-Preapproval-Essentials-In-The-Steps-to-Buying-a-House-2048x1365-1.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1192b75 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1192b75\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before going further, focus on your current financial health. The<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/research-and-statistics\/research-reports\/highlights-from-the-profile-of-home-buyers-and-sellers#:~:text=agent%20to%20others.-,Financing%20the%20Home%20Purchase,for%20repeat%20buyers%20was%2019%25.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><br \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Association of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Realtors<\/span><br \/><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> states that 80% of buyers finance their <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home purchase<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Obtaining a mortgage is common and one of the main steps to buy a house for the first time, but to do that, you need to qualify.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are several steps to qualifying for a mortgage. Ultimately, your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> wants to know you have the financial means and skill to make payments on time. To do that, they look at all of the details you can offer.<\/span><\/p><h3 id='your-credit-score'  id=\"boomdevs_4\"><b>Your C<\/b><b>redit Score<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your FICO <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit score<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is one of the most important indications of your ability to make payments on time, manage credit wisely, and hold up your end of the deal with a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It\u2019s critical to have a high <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit score<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as one of the first steps to buying a house.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> sets their minimum <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit score<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> requirements based on the type of mortgage available to you. Typically, a Tri-Merge score, which combines all three credit bureau reports, is used. Depending on the type of loan you get, you\u2019ll need to meet some basic <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit score<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> requirements. Here\u2019s an example:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FHA Loans<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 580 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit score<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or higher (some <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lenders<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will require a higher score for an <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FHA loan<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, up to 600 or 620, depending on qualifications).<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">VA Loans: VA loans do not have a minimum <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit score<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> requirement, though most <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lenders<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> require at least a 600 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit score<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conventional Loans: 620 or higher <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit score<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and the best <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">interest rates<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are available to those with a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit score<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of 680 to 700 or above.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you don\u2019t currently meet minimum <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit score<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> requirements, a qualified <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mortgage lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or Realtor can help advise you on steps to improve your score. It&#8217;s better to reach out early, and get information and assistance with steps to improve your credit score. It&#8217;s typically free, and it can make a huge improvement in your score, so you\u2019ll be better prepared to buy in the future.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><h3 id='mortgage-pre-qualification'  id=\"boomdevs_5\"><b>Mortgage Pre-Qualification<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re feeling ready to move forward, one of the first steps to buying a house is getting <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pre-qualified<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for a mortgage. Think of pre-qualification as an early green light from a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. You share basic information about your income, debts, and finances, and based on that, the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> gives you an estimate of what you may be able to borrow. At this stage, they haven\u2019t verified your documents yet, and that comes later with a formal <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pre-approval<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even so, pre-qualification is an important part of the steps to buying a house for the first time because it helps you get an estimate of your potential <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loan amount<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, see what your monthly payment might look like, explore different loan programs you may qualify for, and shop for homes with a clearer <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">price range<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in mind.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you\u2019re ready for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pre-approval<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (which carries more weight with sellers), you\u2019ll complete a formal loan application and provide documentation to verify your finances. This typically includes:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A valid, state-issued photo ID<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your Social Security number<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your address and contact information<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A list of your current monthly expenses and debts<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Proof of income (W-2s, recent pay stubs, or other employment documents)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recent <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tax returns<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bank statements showing your savings and available funds for a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once everything is reviewed, your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will let you know how much you\u2019re approved to borrow and what your estimated monthly payment will be. You\u2019ll receive a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pre-approval letter<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and from there you can compare <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offers, choose the best fit for you, and confidently begin <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">house hunting<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with your local <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">real estate agent<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember, though, that getting in touch with your Realtor, even if it&#8217;s before you have all your documents, is absolutely ok! They can work with your estimated income and debts, provide monthly payment estimates, and the purchase price that goes along with them, so you can ensure you\u2019re not browsing houses that are too far out of budget.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6735833 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6735833\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='credit-reports-as-a-step-to-home-ownership'  id=\"boomdevs_6\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Credit Reports As A Step To Home Ownership<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb97497 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"eb97497\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Understanding-Credit-Reports-in-the-Steps-to-Buying-a-House-2048x1365-1-1024x683.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-30847\" alt=\"Reviewing a credit report as an important step to buying a house for first-time home buyers\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Understanding-Credit-Reports-in-the-Steps-to-Buying-a-House-2048x1365-1-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Understanding-Credit-Reports-in-the-Steps-to-Buying-a-House-2048x1365-1-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Understanding-Credit-Reports-in-the-Steps-to-Buying-a-House-2048x1365-1-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Understanding-Credit-Reports-in-the-Steps-to-Buying-a-House-2048x1365-1-105x70.webp 105w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Understanding-Credit-Reports-in-the-Steps-to-Buying-a-House-2048x1365-1.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-042b379 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"042b379\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you apply for a loan, it pays to ensure your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit report<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is accurate. This is something your Realtor can help you with by setting you up with a trusted mortgage lender. There\u2019s no need for a hard pull on your credit to get started on the home-buying process.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To do that, you can visit<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/annualcreditreport.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> AnnualCreditReport.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This is a free, government-sponsored website that gives you access to all three of your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit reports<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> once a year. That includes your TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit reports<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reaching out as early in the process is the best way to make sure everything is accurate and you\u2019re ready to buy. All too often, people stay renting because they\u2019re worried about not getting approved, but there\u2019s no need to shy away from getting answers if you want to move toward home ownership.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerfinance.gov\/about-us\/blog\/common-errors-credit-report-and-how-get-them-fixed\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Federal Trade Commission<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> states that 1 in 5 people have at least one error on their <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit report<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Any error can lower your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit score<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, impacting the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mortgage rates<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you qualify for and your ability to qualify for a loan.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s possible that some errors could be due to identity theft, which can create long-term financial loss for you. If you view your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit report<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and find accounts that aren\u2019t yours, addresses that aren\u2019t accurate, or any unfamiliar information, report it right away.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To find out how accurate your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit report<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is, use the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/files.consumerfinance.gov\/f\/documents\/201701_cfpb_credit-report-review-checklist.pdf\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Credit Report<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Review Checklist<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.<\/span><\/p><h3 id='what-to-do-if-you-find-errors'  id=\"boomdevs_7\"><b>What To Do If You Find Errors<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Report all errors on your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit report<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to the credit bureau reporting the information. You can follow directions on the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit report<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to have inaccuracies removed, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau mandates that the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit reporting<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> company must investigate the dispute within 30 days of receiving it.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b14cf1e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b14cf1e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='navigating-the-mortgage-preapproval-stage'  id=\"boomdevs_8\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Navigating The Mortgage Preapproval Stage\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e8e9862 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e8e9862\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prequalification is usually based on self-reported financial information and doesn\u2019t involve a hard credit check. This may mean it\u2019s less accurate and may change when you reach <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">preapproval<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. During <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">preapproval<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, all your data is verified through full documentation and a credit check. It\u2019s one of the biggest steps to buying a house for the first time.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preapproval<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> requires submitting <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tax returns<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, paycheck stubs, a list of debts, and proof of assets. Once the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> completes this process, they can commit to providing you with a loan.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you receive that <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">preapproval letter<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, don\u2019t make any significant financial decisions, and avoid opening any new loans or making large purchases. Talk to your loan officer about any decisions you make that could impact your credit.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mortgage preapproval is easier than in the past, with online applications and a more seamless experience. It may take a little time to collect all the documents you need, but once you hear that you&#8217;ve been approved, you\u2019ll generally receive a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">preapproval letter<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> within 24 hours. It typically remains active for 60 to 90 days, and that\u2019s when <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> typically begin the steps to buying a house, including <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">house hunting<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and going to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">open houses<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or showings.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad703c1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad703c1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='how-to-calculate-affordability-and-budget-for-your-dream-home'  id=\"boomdevs_9\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How To Calculate Affordability And Budget For Your Dream Home\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b8e6350 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b8e6350\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/How-to-Calculate-Affordability-Budgeting-for-Your-Dream-Home-2048x1365-1-1024x683.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-30848\" alt=\"Calculating home affordability and budget as a first step to buying a house\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/How-to-Calculate-Affordability-Budgeting-for-Your-Dream-Home-2048x1365-1-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/How-to-Calculate-Affordability-Budgeting-for-Your-Dream-Home-2048x1365-1-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/How-to-Calculate-Affordability-Budgeting-for-Your-Dream-Home-2048x1365-1-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/How-to-Calculate-Affordability-Budgeting-for-Your-Dream-Home-2048x1365-1-105x70.webp 105w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/How-to-Calculate-Affordability-Budgeting-for-Your-Dream-Home-2048x1365-1.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c089b50 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c089b50\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you work through the steps to buying a house, you certainly need to think about your options and your financial goals.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has told you what they can provide to you in a loan, but that doesn\u2019t mean you should spend that much on a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home price<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. You need to be comfortable with the monthly payments and find the best mortgage terms for your needs. So, asking yourself \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/blog\/how-much-home-can-i-afford\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much house can I afford as a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?\u201d is normal, and a mortgage calculator can help you.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To determine what the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> thinks you can afford, they\u2019ll look at your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">debt-to-income ratio<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (DTI). This determines how much money you have left over after paying your monthly expenses to cover the cost of a mortgage payment. Typically, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lenders<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> want your expenses to be under 28% of your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">monthly income<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but some may approve a higher rate.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take a minute to use <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/mortgage-calculator\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">our <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">affordability calculator<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to get an idea of the ideal <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">price range<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for you based on your income, savings, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and expenses.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Costs that go into your monthly payment include the principal payment (the amount you\u2019re paying back over time), the interest (the fee for borrowing), any <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">property taxes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> applicable in your area, home insurance costs, and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">private mortgage insurance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PMI<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) if you\u2019re making a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of less than 20%. Depending on where you buy, you may also have to pay a homeowners\u2019 association (HOA) fee.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, consider the costs of updating and maintaining the home. That may include:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Utility costs<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Routine appliance repair and maintenance<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Roof repairs<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plumbing and electrical repairs<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Any outside maintenance and updates<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Modernization or upgrades you need to make<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Updates that you want to make to personalize the space<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choose a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">price range<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that you feel comfortable with. When you consider the housing expense ratio, or the amount of money you bring in to the amount of money going out, keeping it as low as possible gives you more financial flexibility when you have unexpected costs to manage. The housing expense ratio, along with what you consider comfortable within your budget, is a key factor to consider before buying.<\/span><\/p><h3 id='the-importance-of-your-down-payment'  id=\"boomdevs_10\"><b>The Importance Of Your <\/b><b>Down Payment<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you consider the steps to buying a house for the first time, you have to consider how much<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/blog\/how-much-down-payment-on-a-house-do-you-need\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on house<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is needed. Though a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time homebuyer<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> doesn\u2019t always need a large <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it can be one of the most important ways to reduce your overall costs.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re considering any of the various <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home loan<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> programs, especially for a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyer<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you\u2019ll need to put down less than a conventional loan. The following are some of the most common <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> requirements:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FHA loans<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 3.5% down<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">USDA loans: Typically, 0% down for buying in a rural area. To find out if your location meets the requirement, use this tool:<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov\/eligibility\/welcomeAction.do\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eligibility<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for USDA loans<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">VA loans: Active members of the U.S. Armed Forces or qualified retirees may not need a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. To find out if you qualify for this, speak to your loan officer about your Certificate of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eligibility<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the VA. Also, note that if you put down 5% to 10%, you could significantly reduce the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.va.gov\/housing-assistance\/home-loans\/funding-fee-and-closing-costs\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">VA funding fee<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conventional loans: 5% to 10% down or higher.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you review the steps to buying a house, keep in mind that you may qualify for<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usa.gov\/buying-home-programs\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> assistance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These programs may help you get a grant to reduce your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> requirements. In some cases, you may be able to purchase a home with $0 down.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also note that if you make a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of 20% or more with a conventional loan, you can avoid paying <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">private mortgage insurance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PMI<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), which would otherwise be required. Don\u2019t let the idea of PMI stop you from buying, though! It&#8217;s just another line item to factor into your monthly payment, and it will automatically fall off when you reach 22% equity, so there\u2019s no reason to avoid becoming a homeowner just because of PMI.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How can you save for a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to start the house-buying process? You can open a separate savings account just for your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and creating a budget and tracking your spending is also important. Additionally, you can receive some support from family and friends, but you need a gift letter from each of them, so talk to your loan officer about this before you get started.<\/span><\/p><h3 id='planning-for-closing-costs'  id=\"boomdevs_11\"><b>Planning For <\/b><b>Closing Costs<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Closing costs<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> include fees paid at the time of loan closing. It helps cover the cost of transferring property ownership and establishing the loan. This includes title services, title insurance, origination fees, and initial taxes. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Closing costs<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> range from 2% to 6% of the home&#8217;s <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">purchase price<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It may be possible to wrap those <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closing costs<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> into your loan. Other times, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closing cost<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> assistance programs may be used, and it\u2019s also sometimes possible to negotiate to have the seller pay for some or all of your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closing costs<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8cba0e2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8cba0e2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c69e311\" data-id=\"c69e311\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c333c4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8c333c4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='choosing-a-realtor-who-ll-guide-you-through-the-steps-to-buying-a-house'  id=\"boomdevs_12\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Choosing A Realtor: Who\u2019ll Guide You Through The Steps To Buying A House<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e7674b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e7674b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"704\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Choosing-a-Realtor-Wholl-Guide-You-Through-the-Steps-of-Buying-a-House-2048x1409-1-1024x704.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-30849\" alt=\"Choosing a real estate agent to guide first-time buyers through the steps to buying a house\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Choosing-a-Realtor-Wholl-Guide-You-Through-the-Steps-of-Buying-a-House-2048x1409-1-1024x704.webp 1024w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Choosing-a-Realtor-Wholl-Guide-You-Through-the-Steps-of-Buying-a-House-2048x1409-1-300x206.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Choosing-a-Realtor-Wholl-Guide-You-Through-the-Steps-of-Buying-a-House-2048x1409-1-768x528.webp 768w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Choosing-a-Realtor-Wholl-Guide-You-Through-the-Steps-of-Buying-a-House-2048x1409-1.webp 1163w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-518b502 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"518b502\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b7d316b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b7d316b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re considering buying a home but you\u2019re not sure if it\u2019s the right idea yet,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/blog\/rent-vs-buy-how-first-time-buyers-decide\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rent vs Buy: How to Decide as a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First-Time Home Buyer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help you make a decision. When you\u2019re ready, though, you\u2019ll need the right person to help you. A good <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">real estate agent<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will scour the market for homes that meet your needs and guide you through the negotiation and closing processes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s important to assess an agent\u2019s personality, ensure schedule compatibility, and feel comfortable that they have your best interest at heart. Be mindful of potential red flags, such as not taking you seriously or being unable to make time for you, as the person you choose will be critical in the process of buying a house. They need to be a powerful negotiator throughout the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home-buying process<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a trusted ally, and a transparent professional as you move through the first steps to buying a house.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8627188 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8627188\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='starting-house-hunting-the-next-step-in-buying-a-house'  id=\"boomdevs_13\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Starting House Hunting: The Next Step In Buying A House\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa0086f elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"aa0086f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c710e9b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c710e9b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"574\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Starting-House-Hunting-The-Hunt-for-Your-Ideal-Home-2048x1147-1-1024x574.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-30850\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Starting-House-Hunting-The-Hunt-for-Your-Ideal-Home-2048x1147-1-1024x574.webp 1024w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Starting-House-Hunting-The-Hunt-for-Your-Ideal-Home-2048x1147-1-300x168.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Starting-House-Hunting-The-Hunt-for-Your-Ideal-Home-2048x1147-1-768x430.webp 768w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Starting-House-Hunting-The-Hunt-for-Your-Ideal-Home-2048x1147-1-255x143.webp 255w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Starting-House-Hunting-The-Hunt-for-Your-Ideal-Home-2048x1147-1-835x467.webp 835w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Starting-House-Hunting-The-Hunt-for-Your-Ideal-Home-2048x1147-1-1110x623.webp 1110w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Starting-House-Hunting-The-Hunt-for-Your-Ideal-Home-2048x1147-1.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d5a259a elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"d5a259a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf9dde6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cf9dde6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is where things start to feel real. Once you\u2019re <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">preapproved<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and have a comfortable budget in mind, it\u2019s time to start the search for a place you can truly call home.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Working closely with your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">real estate agent<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> makes all the difference during this stage. They\u2019ll help you focus on homes that align with your goals and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">price range<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and here\u2019s a helpful strategy: if you shop slightly under your maximum budget, you may have a little flexibility if you need to make a stronger offer in a competitive situation. That extra wiggle room can bring you peace of mind.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you start touring homes, have an open conversation with your agent about your must-haves and your nice-to-haves. What features are non-negotiable? How many bedrooms do you truly need? Is a big backyard important, or would you rather have a shorter commute? Talking these things through ahead of time helps you stay grounded and focused once you start looking at properties.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s also wise to discuss the current market conditions. Is inventory low? Are homes selling quickly? As you explore your options, keep an open mind about the different types of homes available. Single-family homes offer space and privacy, while condos and townhomes can offer lower-maintenance living. Multi-family properties might even create rental income opportunities, and each option has its own benefits.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While it\u2019s exciting to picture your life in a home today, take a moment to think about tomorrow, too. Considering long-term resale value can help ensure your investment continues to serve you well down the road.<\/span><\/p><h3 id='prioritizing-home-features'  id=\"boomdevs_14\"><b>Prioritizing Home Features<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s essential to be <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">upfront<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with your buyer\u2019s agent about the must-have features of your home. These are things like size and location that matter most to you. Then, make a list of \u201cwould be nice\u201d features if you can get them, and think about your life in that location. Local schools, how walkable the neighborhood is, if there\u2019s a fence for your dog, and if you need extra space for visitors are all factors to discuss with your agent.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you navigate these steps to buying a house, it\u2019s very easy, especially if you are a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyer<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in VA, to have a huge list of expectations, but you\u2019ll need to balance affordability with what you really require in your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">new home<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p><h3 id='exploring-neighborhoods'  id=\"boomdevs_15\"><b>Exploring Neighborhoods<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are some great tools available to help you with neighborhood comparisons as part of these steps to buying a house. Websites like<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/areavibes.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> AreaVibes.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can offer insights into what you\u2019re looking for. Also consider:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Schools (<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/greatschools.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">GreatSchools.org<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a good resource)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parks<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sidewalks<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Proximity of needed amenities<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Local shopping and dining<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Looking in Virginia Beach? We\u2019ve done a deep dive on each of the top <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/virginia-beach-neighborhoods\/best-neighborhoods\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia Beach neighborhoods<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. You may also want to join some of the Facebook groups for any community you\u2019re considering, so you can ask questions, and you should consider taking walks around the neighborhood to get a feel for what it\u2019s like. From <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/virginia-beach-neighborhoods\/town-center\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Town Center<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/virginia-beach-neighborhoods\/aragona-village\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aragona Village<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, there are excellent neighborhoods all throughout the area.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you find one you like, whether it\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/virginia-beach-neighborhoods\/timberlake\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Timberlake<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/virginia-beach-neighborhoods\/red-mill\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Red Mill<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or another beautiful option, make a trial commute from that location to where you work to see what you can expect from that process. Don\u2019t overlook your future needs, too. Once you master these steps to buying a house, you\u2019ll want to be sure this is a home you\u2019ll remain in for the long term.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe74f5a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fe74f5a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='submitting-an-offer-making-it-official'  id=\"boomdevs_16\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Submitting An Offer: Making It Official<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b92f95d elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"b92f95d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e4fd22c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e4fd22c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Submitting-an-Offer-Making-it-Official-2048x1365-1-1024x683.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-30854\" alt=\"Submitting a home purchase offer as an important step in buying a house\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Submitting-an-Offer-Making-it-Official-2048x1365-1-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Submitting-an-Offer-Making-it-Official-2048x1365-1-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Submitting-an-Offer-Making-it-Official-2048x1365-1-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Submitting-an-Offer-Making-it-Official-2048x1365-1-105x70.webp 105w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Submitting-an-Offer-Making-it-Official-2048x1365-1.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-efaf752 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"efaf752\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45e4320 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"45e4320\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s such an exciting moment when you\u2019ve found a home you truly love, and now it\u2019s time to make it official by submitting an offer. It\u2019s a big step, but you won\u2019t be navigating it alone. Your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">real estate agent<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is there to guide you through every detail and help you craft an offer that\u2019s both competitive and aligned with your financial comfort zone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Together, you\u2019ll consider key components such as your offer price, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closing costs<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">earnest money<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> deposit, and any contingencies (such as inspections or financing). In competitive markets, offering a shorter closing timeline, such as 30 days, can sometimes make your offer more appealing to a seller.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earnest money<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is another key part of the process. This is typically 1% to 3% of the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">purchase price<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, though in highly competitive markets it can be higher. These funds are placed in <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">escrow<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to show the seller you\u2019re serious about moving forward. The good news is that <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">earnest money<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is usually applied toward your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closing costs<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and if something significant comes up, like a failed <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home inspection<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, those funds are often refundable under the terms of your contract.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your agent may also suggest additional strategies depending on your local market. For example, an escalation clause can automatically increase your offer if multiple bids come in, helping you stay competitive without having to immediately offer your highest number.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you continue learning how to buy a house, trust that your agent\u2019s experience will help you make smart, confident decisions. This step can feel a little nerve-wracking, but it\u2019s also the moment that brings you one step closer to holding those keys in your hand.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7fc29af elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7fc29af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='home-inspection-and-appraisal-critical-to-buying-a-home'  id=\"boomdevs_17\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Home Inspection And Appraisal: Critical To Buying A Home<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-62023ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"62023ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2da8fea elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"2da8fea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ea9d25 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2ea9d25\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Home-Inspection-Appraisal-Critical-in-The-Steps-To-Buying-A-Home-2048x1365-1-1024x683.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-30855\" alt=\"Home Inspection &amp; Appraisal Critical in The Steps To Buying A Home\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Home-Inspection-Appraisal-Critical-in-The-Steps-To-Buying-A-Home-2048x1365-1-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Home-Inspection-Appraisal-Critical-in-The-Steps-To-Buying-A-Home-2048x1365-1-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Home-Inspection-Appraisal-Critical-in-The-Steps-To-Buying-A-Home-2048x1365-1-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Home-Inspection-Appraisal-Critical-in-The-Steps-To-Buying-A-Home-2048x1365-1-105x70.webp 105w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Home-Inspection-Appraisal-Critical-in-The-Steps-To-Buying-A-Home-2048x1365-1.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a02970 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"2a02970\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-920760a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"920760a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No matter the housing market or how badly you want the home, you need to take two additional steps to complete the purchase: the inspection and appraisal.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Home inspections<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are an opportunity for someone you hire to come into the home to provide an update on the condition of major systems and to point out any repairs that may be necessary. These services usually cost between $300 and $600.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If concerns are found during the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home inspection<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you can go back to the seller to request modifications to the offer. You may ask them to fix the problem or get a lower <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">purchase price<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on the home, and you\u2019ll also want to have pest control inspections to ensure there\u2019s no termite risk.<\/span><\/p><h3 id='the-role-of-the-home-inspector'  id=\"boomdevs_18\"><b>The Role Of The <\/b><b>Home Inspector<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home inspection<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ensures the house is in a condition you\u2019re willing to accept and provides essential information for decision-making. A basic <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home inspection<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> covers all aspects of the house, from the foundation to the roof, including a thorough examination of interior and exterior structures, as well as utility systems such as plumbing, electrical, water, and heating.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inspection reports can reveal various problems, including broken HVAC systems, plumbing issues, faulty electrical wiring, asbestos, mold, structural damage, pests, and radon.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home inspection<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you may decide to walk away, purchase the property \u2018as-is\u2019, or negotiate with the seller for repairs based on the identified issues. The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home inspector<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is your responsibility to both pay for and choose, and in all of the steps to buying a house, this is one to take very seriously. Your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Realtor<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can also provide a list of the best <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home inspectors<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the area.<\/span><\/p><h3 id='understanding-the-appraisal-process'  id=\"boomdevs_19\"><b>Understanding The Appraisal Process<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home appraisal<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a secondary step and very different from an inspection. An appraisal assesses the home\u2019s value by evaluating factors such as the home&#8217;s condition, comparable local sales, the neighborhood, and the size of the home and the land.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the appraisal matches or exceeds the offer price, you should be fine proceeding with the purchase, and if it\u2019s higher, you gain instant equity.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Different loan types may require various appraisal methods, such as conventional loans\u2019 value assessments or government loans\u2019 specialized appraisals that focus on safety and structural requirements. All of these factors affect the home&#8217;s value.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When an appraisal comes in lower than the offer, you have some options, which are typically to negotiate with the seller to adjust the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">purchase price<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, pay the difference in cash, or walk away from the deal. Typically, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">underwriting<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will not proceed unless the home is worth at least the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loan amount<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and this can derail the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home-buying process<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b311a9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7b311a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='homeowners-insurance-to-protect-your-investment'  id=\"boomdevs_20\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Homeowners Insurance To Protect Your Investment<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f2884f6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"f2884f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94e9217 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"94e9217\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"393\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Securing-Homeowners-Insurance-Protect-Your-Investment-2048x786-1-1024x393.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-30856\" alt=\"Homeowners insurance protecting a house investment during the home buying process\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Securing-Homeowners-Insurance-Protect-Your-Investment-2048x786-1-1024x393.webp 1024w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Securing-Homeowners-Insurance-Protect-Your-Investment-2048x786-1-300x115.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Securing-Homeowners-Insurance-Protect-Your-Investment-2048x786-1-768x295.webp 768w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Securing-Homeowners-Insurance-Protect-Your-Investment-2048x786-1.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-03c48df elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"03c48df\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-06c6e59 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"06c6e59\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mortgage lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will require you to maintain a comprehensive <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeowners\u2019 insurance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> policy to protect their investment, and this insurance will cover damage to the home and structures, as well as theft and loss of your personal property. You\u2019ll likely need to complete this step before your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will close on the mortgage, as it\u2019s one of the essential steps to buying a house for the first time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Work with a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeowners\u2019 insurance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> broker to help you determine the type and amount of coverage you need. Typically, it\u2019s best to select coverage that provides enough value to rebuild a home if it is a total loss. This is called full replacement cost insurance, and you may also need earthquake, hurricane, or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flood insurance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, depending on your location.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time homebuyer<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, speak with your agent about how much coverage you need and whether you need any add-ons to increase your protection for high-end belongings. Then, discuss ways to lower your costs, such as bundling home and auto and investing in a security system.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2cb11f7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2cb11f7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='closing-is-the-final-step-to-buying-a-house'  id=\"boomdevs_21\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Closing Is The Final Step To Buying A House\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-34db460 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"34db460\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dec4767 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"dec4767\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Closing-the-Deal-The-Final-Steps-to-Buying-a-House-Before-Ownership-2048x1365-1-1024x683.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-30857\" alt=\"Closing the home purchase with keys handed to the buyer as the final step in buying a house\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Closing-the-Deal-The-Final-Steps-to-Buying-a-House-Before-Ownership-2048x1365-1-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Closing-the-Deal-The-Final-Steps-to-Buying-a-House-Before-Ownership-2048x1365-1-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Closing-the-Deal-The-Final-Steps-to-Buying-a-House-Before-Ownership-2048x1365-1-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Closing-the-Deal-The-Final-Steps-to-Buying-a-House-Before-Ownership-2048x1365-1-105x70.webp 105w, https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Closing-the-Deal-The-Final-Steps-to-Buying-a-House-Before-Ownership-2048x1365-1.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ab6d36 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"4ab6d36\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d38c26 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4d38c26\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that the offer has been accepted and you\u2019re moving on to the next step of buying a house, you\u2019ll enter the closing process.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closing disclosure<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will include a detailed list of the entire process. Ensure that everything in this document matches your expectations. That includes the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loan amount<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and loan term (including whether it is a fixed-rate or an adjustable-rate loan). It should include the monthly payment, the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and all terms of the deal with the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Title insurance is also a component of this process.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closing day<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> arrives, you\u2019ll meet with a closing agent to review numerous documents. There should be no surprises in this process. Once you sign all the documents, the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mortgage loan<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is finalized, the funds to buy the home are sent to the seller, and you become a homeowner.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At this point, you\u2019ve likely already considered the cost of moving into your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">new home<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It\u2019s a good idea to review your closing documents ahead of time, including comparing the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closing disclosure<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loan estimate<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to ensure everything matches and there aren\u2019t any surprises on <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closing day<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='final-walk-through-your-last-look'  id=\"boomdevs_22\"><b>Final Walk-Through<\/b><b>: Your Last Look<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">final walk-through<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is an important and reassuring step in the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time homebuyer<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> process. Think of it as your final opportunity to make sure everything is exactly as it should be before you officially take ownership.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During this visit, you\u2019ll walk through the home one more time to confirm that any agreed-upon repairs have been completed and that the property is in the expected condition. It\u2019s a good idea to test light switches and outlets, run faucets, check appliances, inspect the exterior, and make sure windows and locks are working properly. You\u2019re simply ensuring that the home you\u2019re purchasing matches what you agreed to.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">final walk-throughs<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are scheduled within 24 hours of closing, and your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">real estate agent<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will be right there with you. As you move through the steps to buying a house, their role is to guide you, answer questions, and help you feel confident about each decision.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='navigating-closing-day'  id=\"boomdevs_23\"><b>Navigating <\/b><b>Closing Day<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Closing day<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is exciting, but it usually comes with a big stack of paperwork. Plan for about an hour to review and sign the final documents. Since this is one of the very last steps to buying a house, don\u2019t hesitate to ask questions if anything feels unclear. This is your investment, and you deserve to fully understand it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll receive your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Closing Disclosure<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at least 3 days before closing, so take time to review it carefully and confirm that the numbers match your expectations. If everything looks good, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closing day<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is when you sign the final paperwork, the funds are transferred, and ownership officially becomes yours.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s a big day, and one that marks the end of the buying process and the beginning of your life as a homeowner.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8ed1369 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"8ed1369\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c576b96 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"c576b96\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ca1239 elementor-author-box--layout-image-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-author-box\" data-id=\"9ca1239\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"author-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"elementor-author-box__avatar\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Jake-Maines-Virginia-Beach-Realtor-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Picture of Jake Maines, Virginia Beach Realtor\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 id='jake-maines-virginia-beach-realtor'  id=\"boomdevs_24\" class=\"elementor-author-box__name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJake Maines, Virginia Beach Realtor\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box__bio\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Are you ready to embrace these steps to buying a house? Virginia Beach real estate and homes for sale are exciting opportunities, but expertise in the market is essential.<br \/>\nJake Maines is a Virginia Beach Realtor known for his market knowledge and exceptional client service. His real estate journey, beginning in 2020, showcases a successful transition from marketing to realty and investing, marked by a passion for helping clients find their dream homes. Recognized as one of Inside Business 40 Under 40 and ranking in the top 8% of Hampton Roads Realtors in his first year, Jake's accolades affirm his expertise. A member of NAR and HRRA, he upholds the highest ethical standards. Community involvement and continuous professional development make him a trusted, authoritative Virginia Beach real estate expert.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-author-box__button elementor-button elementor-size-xs\" href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/about\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d3cf6ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"d3cf6ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-01d1e35 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"01d1e35\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeIn&quot;,&quot;_animation_delay&quot;:&quot;100&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='faqs-about-the-steps-to-buying-a-house'  id=\"boomdevs_25\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">FAQs About The Steps To Buying A House<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-787d12e elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"787d12e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e8194d4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"e8194d4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='what-are-the-initial-steps-to-buying-a-house-that-should-be-taken-first'  id=\"boomdevs_26\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-2431\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2431\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What are the initial steps to buying a house that should be taken first?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2431\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2431\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The initial steps to buying a house involve assessing your financial readiness, setting clear <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> goals, and understanding the importance of a good <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit score<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Obtaining mortgage <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pre-approval<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a pivotal step, as it positions you as a serious buyer and sets the foundation for your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home-buying journey<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='how-does-my-credit-score-affect-the-home-buying-process'  id=\"boomdevs_27\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-2432\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2432\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How does my credit score affect the home-buying process?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2432\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2432\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit score<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> plays a crucial role in the steps to buying a house, influencing your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">eligibility<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for a mortgage and the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">interest rates<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you qualify for. A higher score can lead to better loan terms. It\u2019s essential to reach out to a Realtor and mortgage lender early in the process even if your credit isn\u2019t the best, because they can advise you on ways to improve your score, so you\u2019ll be ready to buy a home.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='what-s-the-difference-between-mortgage-pre-qualification-and-pre-approval'  id=\"boomdevs_28\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-2433\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2433\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What\u2019s the difference between mortgage pre-qualification and pre-approval?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2433\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2433\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mortgage pre-qualification is an informal estimate of how much you might be able to borrow, while <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pre-approval<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a more formal and detailed review of your finances. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pre-approval<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a significant step in the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home-buying process<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, indicating to sellers that you are a serious and capable buyer, which can be particularly advantageous in competitive markets.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='how-can-i-improve-my-mortgage-pre-approval-odds-when-buying-a-house'  id=\"boomdevs_29\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-2434\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2434\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How can I improve my mortgage pre-approval odds when buying a house?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2434\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2434\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To make mortgage pre-approval easier, organize and accurately report your financial information. Avoid any actions that could negatively impact your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">credit score<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, such as making large purchases or applying for new credit, as these can affect your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">debt-to-income ratio<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which a critical factor in the mortgage approval process.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='how-do-you-calculate-home-affordability-in-the-steps-to-buying-a-house'  id=\"boomdevs_30\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-2435\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2435\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How do you calculate home affordability in the steps to buying a house?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2435\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2435\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Determining affordability is a crucial step in the steps to buying a house. It involves evaluating your income, existing debts, and the amount of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you can afford. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lenders<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> use these factors to calculate your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loan amount<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which influences the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">price range<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of homes you should consider.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='what-should-i-know-about-down-payments'  id=\"boomdevs_31\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-2436\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2436\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What should I know about down payments?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2436\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2436\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The size of your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> significantly impacts your mortgage terms and monthly payments. While larger <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payments<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can reduce your financial burden over time, various loan programs offer lower <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">down payment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> options, which can be especially helpful for first-time buyers navigating the steps to buying a house.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='how-do-closing-costs-work-when-buying-a-house'  id=\"boomdevs_32\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-2437\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2437\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How do closing costs work when buying a house?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2437\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2437\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Closing costs<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are a collection of fees associated with finalizing your mortgage and are a critical part of the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homebuying process<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These costs can range from 2% to 6% of the home\u2019s <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">purchase price<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and cover everything from appraisal fees to title insurance. Planning for these costs is essential for a smooth closing process.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='why-is-choosing-the-right-realtor-important'  id=\"boomdevs_33\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-2438\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"8\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2438\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why is choosing the right Realtor important?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2438\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"8\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2438\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choosing the right <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Realtor<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a key step in buying a house. A knowledgeable agent can provide invaluable guidance through each stage of the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home-buying process<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, from identifying potential homes to negotiating and closing. Their expertise can help you navigate the complexities of the market and make informed decisions.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='how-do-i-start-house-hunting'  id=\"boomdevs_34\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-2439\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"9\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2439\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How do I start house hunting?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2439\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"9\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2439\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">House hunting<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> begins with a clear understanding of your needs and budget, informed by the mortgage <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pre-approval<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> process. Working closely with your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">real estate agent<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you\u2019ll explore listings that match your criteria, making <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">house hunting<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> exciting and personalized.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='what-role-does-a-home-inspection-play-in-buying-a-house'  id=\"boomdevs_35\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-24310\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"10\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-24310\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What role does a home inspection play in buying a house?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-24310\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"10\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-24310\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home inspection<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a critical step in buying a house, offering a detailed examination of the property\u2019s condition. It can uncover potential issues that may affect your decision to buy or the price you\u2019re willing to pay, giving you the opportunity to negotiate repairs or adjustments before finalizing the purchase.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='how-important-is-the-appraisal-in-buying-a-house'  id=\"boomdevs_36\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-24311\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"11\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-24311\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How important is the appraisal in buying a house?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-24311\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"11\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-24311\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The appraisal is a key step in ensuring the home\u2019s value matches or exceeds your offer, safeguarding both you and your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lender<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2019s investment. It\u2019s an essential part of the mortgage process, confirming the property\u2019s market value and ensuring the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loan amount<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is appropriate.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='what-should-i-know-about-homeowners-insurance'  id=\"boomdevs_37\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-24312\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"12\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-24312\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What should I know about homeowners\u2019 insurance?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-24312\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"12\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-24312\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Securing <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeowners\u2019 insurance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a necessary step to protect your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">new home<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from unexpected damage or loss. It\u2019s typically required by <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lenders<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before closing on a mortgage and should provide adequate coverage to rebuild the home in the event of a total loss.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='what-happens-during-closing-on-a-home'  id=\"boomdevs_38\" id=\"elementor-tab-title-24313\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"13\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-24313\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What happens during closing on a home?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-24313\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"13\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-24313\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Closing is the final step in buying a house, where you sign the mortgage documents and officially become the homeowner. Understanding the closing process, including the fees and documents you\u2019ll sign, is crucial to a successful transition to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homeownership<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1dbf769 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1dbf769\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6fd3e57\" data-id=\"6fd3e57\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-23fcdea elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"23fcdea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 id='for-more-info'  id=\"boomdevs_39\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-xxl\">For More Info<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d8d18c elementor-align-center elementor-widget__width-initial fw-form elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"2d8d18c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-md\" href=\"tel:(757)%20453-3730\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Call Jake<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e6a707d elementor-align-center elementor-widget__width-initial fw-form elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"e6a707d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-md\" href=\"\/contact\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Email Jake<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-08e30dc elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"08e30dc\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-be7df82\" data-id=\"be7df82\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dc404ad elementor-align-center elementor-widget__width-initial fw-form first-cta elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"dc404ad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-md\" href=\"tel:(757)%20453-3730\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Call Jake<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7a0b303\" data-id=\"7a0b303\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4bf42fd elementor-align-center elementor-widget__width-initial fw-form elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"4bf42fd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-md\" href=\"\/contact\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Email Jake<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ac9d5f9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ac9d5f9\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-cfe016d\" data-id=\"cfe016d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db176ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"db176ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 id='for-expert-first-time-home-buyer-advice-contact-jake-maines-today'  id=\"boomdevs_40\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">For Expert First-Time Home Buyer Advice: Contact Jake Maines Today!<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b654b34 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"b654b34\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f8c45b2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"f8c45b2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\nvar 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enctype='multipart\/form-data'  id='gform_1'  action='\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22865' data-formid='1' novalidate>\n                        <div class='gform-body gform_body'><div id='gform_fields_1' class='gform_fields top_label form_sublabel_above description_above validation_below'><div id=\"field_1_17\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-honeypot gform_validation_container field_sublabel_above gfield--has-description field_description_above field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_1_17'>Phone<\/label><div class='gfield_description' id='gfield_description_1_17'>This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.<\/div><div class='ginput_container'><input name='input_17' id='input_1_17' type='text' value='' autocomplete='new-password'\/><\/div><\/div><fieldset id=\"field_1_1\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-name gfield--input-type-name gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_hidden_label 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Look no further. As a trusted <a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/\">Virginia Beach real estate agent<\/a>, I offer services for experienced investors and those buying their first home. My specialty is supporting the entire process of purchasing and selling <a href=\"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/homes-for-sale-virginia-beach\/\">Virginia Beach Homes For Sale<\/a> while providing helpful advice.<\/p><p>I\u2019m here to help first-time home buyers every step of the way through the process. This guide has discussed the steps to buying a house in considerable detail, from understanding credit scores to home inspections based on years of experience and training. If you questions or concerns and need more information, I&#8217;m here to help.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Follow the key steps to buying a house, from financial preparation and mortgage preapproval to making an offer, inspections, and closing the deal.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":30838,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[122],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-22865","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-first-time-home-buyers"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22865","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22865"}],"version-history":[{"count":76,"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22865\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32380,"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22865\/revisions\/32380"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30838"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22865"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22865"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jakemainesrealtor.com\/new2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22865"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}