Steps To Buying Home For First Time -

While 20% is the gold standard to avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI), many first-time programs allow as little as 3% or 3.5% down.

Now for the fun part. Make a list of "Must-Haves" (number of bedrooms, school district) and "Nice-to-Haves" (granite countertops, hardwood floors). steps to buying home for first time

Set aside an extra 2% to 5% of the home’s purchase price for taxes, lender fees, and title insurance. 2. Get Pre-Approved While 20% is the gold standard to avoid

A higher score gets you better interest rates. school district) and "Nice-to-Haves" (granite countertops

Once your offer is accepted, you are "under contract," but the deal isn't done yet.