Advice for first-time homebuyers: Insights from our home loan experts.

Buying your first home is a big deal. We’re here to make it as smooth as possible.

But let’s face it – the process can feel like driving in a new city without a GPS. Don’t worry, we have some insight straight from the pros to make things easier. Our home loan officers know a thing or two about helping folks like you open the doors to your first home.

You’re not alone.

You may be wondering, "How many other first-time buyers are out there?"

The home loan experts we chatted with said about half the people they talk to are looking for their first home. We can only speak from their perspective, but that’s a pretty big chunk.

So, there’s hope?

Yep! With the right planning and education around money management, buying a home could be closer than you think.

Our home loan officers say their biggest pieces of advice are:

• Pay attention to your credit score.
• Don’t rack up debt to support a lifestyle outside of your budget.
• Explore programs specifically created for first-time homebuyers.
• Meet with a home loan officer to determine your buying power and help you outline the next steps. We have a list of questions to help you make the most out of that meeting.
• Get preapproved so you can be confident in making an offer, because it’s a very fast and furious process. Due-diligence can also improve the odds that your offer is accepted.
• Prepare, prepare, prepare.

The market and your life situation are always changing. If now isn’t the right time, that doesn’t mean it never will be. Even if you’re not ready to buy, meeting with a home loan officer and putting together a game plan sets you up for success down the road.

Why STCU?

We're local: We make decisions locally and service all conventional loans ourselves. Win-win. 

We have experience: Our Home Loan team has more than 340 years combined experience.

We can save you money: We cut our loan origination fee by 50% on every first-time homebuyer loan.

There you have it – some insider tips to help you kickstart your journey to homeownership. Sure, it might feel like you're wading into uncharted territory, but with a little know-how and guidance from the pros, you'll be well on your way to turning that dream home into a reality.

So, go ahead, take that leap – future you already has the keys in hand. 

Resources.

Calculator: See what your fixed-monthly payments could be with our home loan calculator.

Workshops: Sign up for one of our free Homebuying 101 workshops to learn about the process and home ownership.

Apply now