Questions First-Time Buyers Ask Before Calling

What do first-time buyers ask before calling?

Almost every first-time buyer asks the same five questions before they ever pick up the phone: How much do I need for a down payment? Can I afford a home right now? What is a pre-approval? How long does the whole process take? And what happens if something goes wrong?

Here are the straight answers, the same ones I give on the first call.

How much do I need for a down payment?

There are loan programs with down payments as low as 3% to 5%, and VA loans for eligible veterans and service members can require no down payment at all. Texas also has down payment assistance programs that can help qualified buyers, and I will connect you with a lender who can show you exactly which options fit your situation.

The bigger number to plan for is the total monthly payment, including taxes, insurance, and HOA fees if any. That is the number that decides what you can truly afford.

Should I wait for rates to come down?

Nobody can time rates with certainty, and waiting has a real cost: prices and rents do not stand still. The smarter move is to buy when you are ready, at a payment you can live with, and refinance later if rates drop. I have helped buyers do exactly that.

Your lender can run the numbers both ways so you can decide with facts instead of headlines.

How long does buying take?

From an accepted offer to closing, a typical purchase takes about 30 to 45 days. Before that, the timeline is yours: pre-approval takes a few days, and finding the right home takes as long as it takes. The search is the part you control, and I make it efficient with a personalized search and honest feedback on every home we see.

What happens if something goes wrong?

This is the question that separates good agents from the rest. The inspection might find issues. The appraisal might come in low. The buyer's financing could hit a snag. My job is to see those coming, tell you about them in plain language, and work the problem until it is solved.

I have closed more than 1,800 homes. Very few deals go perfectly, and almost all of them close, because somebody stayed on top of every piece. That somebody is me.