“I’ve never bought a home.”
How do I buy my first home?
Get pre-approved first, then shop. Pre-approval tells you what you can spend. After the seller accepts your offer, most purchases close in about thirty days. There are eight steps in all, and a loan officer walks you through each one.
Quick answers
Don’t know where to start?
Start with pre-approval. It tells you what you can spend, before you fall in love with a house.
Scared of the paperwork?
It’s a few documents, one step at a time. Your loan officer tells you what’s next.
Not sure you’d qualify?
Ask before you give up. Each loan has its own rules.
Does it fit you?
4 quick questions. No signup. No credit pull.
What you'll need
- Pay stubs or other proof of income
- Two months of bank statements
- Two years of W-2s or tax returns
- A photo ID
What happens after I call?
Where do I start?
Start with a call, not a house. A loan officer asks about your income, your savings and the price you have in mind. Then you know which loans could fit before you fall for a home.
Next comes pre-approval. The lender checks your credit, income and savings, and you get a letter that says what you can spend. Your agent sends that letter with your offer.
How much money do I need?
Plan for two big costs: the down payment and closing costs. How much of each depends on the loan, the price and your credit. A loan officer runs your real numbers, so you aren’t guessing.
Your Loan Estimate lists every cost in one place. You get it within three business days of applying. Every lender uses the same form, so it’s easy to compare.
Budget for property taxes and homeowners insurance too. They come with owning a home, on top of the loan payment.
What does a loan officer do for me?
They help you pick the loan, tell you which papers to send and tell you what’s next at each step. They also work with your agent and escrow, so everyone is on the same dates.
If something comes up, like a low appraisal or a missing paper, they tell you what it means and what you can do about it.
Questions people ask
What’s the difference between pre-qualified and pre-approved?
Pre-qualified is a quick estimate. Pre-approved means a lender checked your credit, income and savings. Sellers take a pre-approval more seriously.
How long does it take to buy a house?
Most purchases close about thirty days after the seller accepts your offer. Getting pre-approved first can take a few days.
Do I need perfect credit?
No. Some loans work with lower scores than people expect. A loan officer can tell you where you stand.
Should I talk to a lender or an agent first?
Either works. Talking to a loan officer first tells you what you can spend, so you and your agent shop in the right price range.
Does getting pre-approved hurt my credit?
Talking to a loan officer doesn’t affect your credit. Pre-approval does include a credit check, and your loan officer tells you before that happens.
What papers will I need?
Usually recent pay stubs, two months of bank statements, two years of W-2s or tax returns, and a photo ID. Your loan officer tells you if your loan needs anything else.
What is a Loan Estimate?
It’s a three-page form that shows the rate, the payment, the fees and the cash you need to close. Every lender uses the same form, so offers are easy to compare. You get it within three business days of applying.
Do you offer down payment assistance programs?
No. We don’t offer state or city down payment assistance programs. Gift money from family can help, and some loans start with a small down payment.
Does Home First Financial help first-time buyers in California?
Yes. Home First Financial offers home loans in all of California, and a loan officer walks first-time buyers through each step, from pre-approval to closing. Subject to qualification.
Talk to a loan officer
Call or email a licensed loan officer.
The application takes about 15 minutes, on the secure site we use. Do what you can, and your loan officer calls to fill in the rest.
Prefer to meet in person? Our main office is in Tustin, by appointment.
The fine print
Times are typical, not promised. Appraisal, underwriting and closing times vary by loan, property and lender. Your pre-approval depends on the home and final underwriting. You get a Loan Estimate within three business days of applying and a Closing Disclosure at least three business days before signing. Not a commitment to lend.
Also called: the home buying process, from pre-approval to closing.
Home First Financial is not affiliated with HUD, FHA, VA, USDA, CalHFA or any government agency.
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