Buying your first home, with every step explained
Buying your first home, with each step explained in plain language.
Buying your first home can feel like a lot
If this is your first purchase, you're probably wondering whether you're ready, whether you can afford it, and what you don't know yet. Those are the right questions, and they're also the reason to start with a conversation before you start looking at homes.
Here's what one of my first-time buyers said: "We were fearful in starting the process to buy our first home, but working with Adriana was an incredible experience from start to finish."
I became an agent because I once bought a property with an agent who never explained the process to me. I signed things I didn't fully understand. I don't want that to happen to you, so I explain each step, in English or Spanish, before you have to act on it.
How we start
We start with a consultation about what you want in a home, where you'd like to live, your budget and your timeline. Then I connect you with a trusted lender for a mortgage preapproval. A preapproval shows you your purchasing power, your estimated monthly payment, the down payment you'll need and your closing costs, so we search within a budget that's comfortable for you.
I'll give you my Buyer's Guide, and we'll go over the Buyer Representation Agreement together, including my responsibilities as your agent, how representation works, and how compensation is handled. After that, I build a search from your criteria and we start touring.
What to plan for beyond the price
The price of the home isn't the only number. First-time buyers often underestimate the cash they need to close, which can include an earnest money deposit, a down payment, closing costs, appraisal and inspection fees, and prepaid items such as insurance and taxes. Your lender can estimate each one early, and I help you plan for them so nothing is a surprise.
It also helps to keep your finances steady while you buy. Avoid a major purchase, a new job, a missed bill payment, a new line of credit or moving money around until you close, because any of them can put your loan approval at risk. The Home Buyer's Guide has the full list and the documents lenders ask for.
After closing, I stay in touch. I'm happy to help with questions, recommend local service providers and, when it fits, help you with a first-year home warranty.
First-time buyers across the areas I serve
Each town has its own homes and prices. See what first-time buying looks like in Vacaville, Fairfield, Suisun City and Dixon. The whole sequence is in how I help you buy a home.
Ready to talk? Contact me or call (707) 304-6574. I'm Adriana Cueva, with Realty ONE Group FOX, and there's no such thing as a question that's too basic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do first when buying my first home?
Start with a conversation about your goals, budget and timeline, then get a mortgage preapproval from a trusted lender. That shows you what you can comfortably afford before we look at any homes.
How much cash will I need besides the down payment?
Plan for an earnest money deposit, closing costs, appraisal and inspection fees, and prepaid items like insurance and taxes. Your lender can estimate them early, and I help you prepare so nothing is a surprise.
I'm nervous about asking too many questions. Is that okay?
Yes. Questions are part of the job, and I'd much rather you ask than wonder. I explain each step before you act on it.
Keep exploring
Ready to make your move with Adriana Cueva?