If you have been thinking about buying your first home but have no idea where to start, you are definitely not the only one. I talk to people all the time who want to buy a home but feel like they need to have everything figured out before they ever reach out to a Realtor.

You really don't.

One of the biggest things I want new buyers to understand is that you don't have to know exactly how the process works before you start. That's what your Realtor and lender are there to help you with.

The first thing I normally recommend is talking with a lender and getting pre-approved. I know looking at houses is way more exciting, but knowing what you can actually afford makes the whole process so much easier.

A lender can go over your income, credit, debts and other information and give you an idea of what you may qualify for. They can also help you understand what your estimated payment could look like.

And if you're not ready yet, that's okay too.

Sometimes talking to a lender helps you find out that you're closer than you thought. Other times, they may tell you there are a couple things you need to work on first. Either way, now you have a plan instead of just wondering.

Another thing I hear a lot is, "I don't have 20% to put down."

You don't necessarily need 20%.

There are different loan programs available, and depending on your situation, you may qualify for an option that requires much less money down. There may also be programs available to help certain buyers with down payments or closing costs. This is another reason having a good lender is so important because everyone's situation is different.

Once you have your pre-approval, that's when we can really start looking at homes.

We'll talk about what you're looking for, where you want to live, how much you're comfortable spending, how many bedrooms you need, whether you want land, and the things that are most important to you.

Then comes the fun part. We start looking!

When you find a home you love, I'll help you understand the next steps and put together an offer. If the offer is accepted, we move into the under-contract part of the process, which can include inspections, the appraisal, financing, title work, the final walkthrough and eventually closing day.

There are a lot of little steps between "I think I want to buy a house" and getting the keys to your new home, but you don't have to know all of them on day one.

That's part of my job.

If you've been thinking about buying a home in North Florida, even if you're six months or a year away, you can always reach out to me. You don't have to be ready to make an offer tomorrow. I'm happy to answer your questions and help you figure out what your first step should be.

Sometimes getting started is really just having that first conversation.

Have questions about buying a home? I'd love to help. Feel free to call or text me at 386-365-7625.

Susanna Welch, REALTOR®
Serving Lake City & North Florida
Making Your Dreams My Priority

Loan programs, down payment requirements and buyer assistance programs vary. A qualified lender can help determine which options may be available based on your individual situation.