Buying your first home comes with a hundred questions — and this is a judgment-free zone. Here’s everything we’ll walk you through, in plain English, at your own pace.
There’s no one-size-fits-all loan. Here are the four you’ll hear about most — and what makes each one different.
A common loan the government doesn’t back. It usually wants a higher credit score and a down payment of about 3–20%. A good fit if you have steady credit and some savings.
Backed by the government and popular with first-time buyers. It allows a lower credit score and a down payment as low as 3.5%. You’ll pay mortgage insurance with it.
For veterans, active service members, and some spouses. It often needs no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance. Backed by the government.
For homes in many smaller towns and rural areas. Often no down payment if you meet the income and location rules. Backed by the government.
What lenders look at: your credit score, your income and job history, how much debt you already have (your debt-to-income ratio), and how much you’ve saved. What’s in your monthly payment: principal, interest, taxes, and insurance — together called PITI.
Seven steps. We’re with you at every one.
Read up, ask questions, and get comfortable with the words and the steps. No pressure and no commitment — this is the judgment-free part.
A lender checks your credit and income and tells you a price range. This is your green light to start shopping for real.
Choose the floor plan and homesite that fit your life and your budget. This is the fun part.
Sign your purchase agreement and put down your earnest money to hold the home while everything moves forward.
Your lender reviews all your details (underwriting) and an expert checks the home's value (appraisal) to finish your loan.
Your home is built or finished. You'll do a final walkthrough to make sure everything works and looks the way it should.
Sign the final papers, pay your closing costs, and move in. Welcome home.
Many first-time buyers qualify for help they didn’t know existed — things like down-payment assistance, grants, and special loans for teachers, first responders, and others. These can lower what you need to bring up front and make your first home easier to reach.
What lenders look at: your credit score, your income and job history, how much debt you already have (your debt-to-income ratio), and how much you’ve saved. What’s in your monthly payment: principal, interest, taxes, and insurance — together called PITI.
Little things that trip up a lot of first-time buyers — and how to step around them.
It’s easy to fall for a home you can’t get approved for. Get pre-approved first so you shop with real numbers.
A new car loan or credit card can change your approval. Wait until after closing to make big purchases.
Save for these on top of your down payment — usually about 2–5% of the price.
These are your chance to catch problems early. Always show up for them.
Know which features come standard and which cost extra before you sign anything.
The things first-time buyers ask us most. Don’t see yours? Just ask — no question is too small.
Most new homes come with a builder’s warranty that covers certain repairs for a set time after you move in. CONFIRMConfirm Edge’s exact warranty terms — workmanship, systems, and structural coverage periods — against the signed warranty document.
You’ll reach out to the builder’s warranty team and they’ll schedule the fix
You’ll reach out to the builder’s warranty team and they’ll schedule the fix
It depends on your loan. Some loans allow as little as 0–3.5% down. A lender can walk you through your options based on your situation.
There’s no single magic number. Different loans accept different scores, and a higher score usually earns you a better interest rate. See FICO Score in the glossary.
Once you’re pre-approved and under contract, closing often takes about 30–45 days. For a home that’s still being built, the timeline depends on the build schedule.
You walk through the finished home with your builder to check that everything works and looks right before you close.
Many new homes let you choose certain finishes within a set of options.
