For Buyers
Buy with confidence.
Know what you can afford, what to look for and what happens next, before you fall for a house.
The buyer's guide
Six steps, start to keys.
Click through each stage to see what happens and what to watch for.
Step 1 · Before you browse
Define what you're really looking for
Start with the constraints rather than the listings: the monthly payment you're comfortable with, the areas that work for your life, and the few things the home truly has to have.
Everything after this gets easier when this part is honest.
- Set a monthly payment ceiling, not just a price
- Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves
- Map out your timeline, including any lease or sale you need to unwind
The right home in the wrong area is still the wrong decision.
Mortgage calculator
What will it actually cost?
Principal, interest, taxes, insurance, HOA and mortgage insurance: the whole monthly payment.
$150,000
Rates and taxes are your inputs, not a quote. Mortgage insurance is estimated at 0.6% a year when the down payment is under 20%. Closing costs and maintenance are not included.
Estimated monthly payment
$4,630
- Principal & interest
- $3,792
- Property tax
- $688
- Homeowners insurance
- $150
- HOA dues
- $0
- Mortgage insurance
- Not required
- Down payment
- $150,000
- Loan amount
- $600,000
- Total interest over the term
- $765,267
Common questions
How much do I need for a down payment?
It depends on the loan. Some programs allow low or no down payment for qualified buyers, while others require more. A lender can tell you which options fit your situation.
How long does buying a home take?
It varies with the market, your financing and how quickly the right home appears. Once an offer is accepted, escrow commonly takes several weeks. We'll map out a realistic timeline for your situation.
Should I wait for interest rates to drop?
No one can reliably predict rates. It usually makes more sense to buy when the home, payment and timing work for you, and to talk with a lender about options if rates change later.
What do closing costs include?
Typically lender fees, title and escrow fees, prepaid taxes and insurance, and prepaid interest. Your lender provides a Loan Estimate that itemizes them.
Start with a conversation.
Tell me what you're looking for, and we'll talk about how to get there.