First-Time Homebuyer Guide

Your Roadmap

Get pre‑approved (know your budget before you browse)
Choose your agent partner (that’s us)
House‑hunt with clarity: must‑haves, nice‑to‑haves, deal‑breakers
Make a strong offer (price, terms, due diligence)
Inspections & appraisal (use our inspection checklist)
Final loan approval (clear to close)
Closing day (keys + utilities + welcome home)

Quick math example: On a $250,000 home with 5% down, monthly payment ≈ principle/interest + taxes + insurance. Your exact number varies by rate and county tax — we’ll run scenarios together.

Financing Basics

Conventional: 5–20% down, best for strong credit
FHA: 3.5% down, flexible credit
VA: 0% down for eligible service members
USDA: 0% down for qualifying rural areas

We’ll match loan type to your timeline, risk comfort, and cash‑on‑hand.

Local Snapshot

Hertford • Edenton • Elizabeth City — different vibes, similar small‑town strengths. Commute routes, schools, and water access often drive value more than square footage alone.

Request a hyper‑local market brief

Common Pitfalls (and easy fixes)

Shopping before pre‑approval → fix: get a same‑day pre‑approval letter
Big purchases during escrow → fix: freeze major credit moves
Skipping inspections → fix: use pros + our DIY NestMate triage
Forgetting closing costs → fix: we’ll preview cash‑to‑close early

Worksheets

Open House Notes

Address · Price · Beds/Baths · Condition · First impressions

House Comparison — rate 3 homes side‑by‑side on light, layout, location, and noise.

Closing Day — ID, funds, insurance, walkthrough, utilities, keys.

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First‑Time Homebuyer Guide

Your Roadmap

Financing Basics

Local Snapshot

Common Pitfalls (and easy fixes)

Worksheets

Next step: free consult