Fundamento

I want to buy my first home

You've never bought a home before. This sequence walks you from the affordability question through the buying process, plus the climate and insurance check that most first-time-buyer guides skip.

  1. 1
    Run

    Can I afford?

    Start with the most important number: what you can comfortably carry, what a lender will approve, and what breaks at 7% rates.

  2. 2
    Read

    Renting vs. buying — which one actually wins

    Make sure buying is actually the right call for your situation. The price-to-rent test is the cleanest single check.

  3. 3
    Read

    What drives mortgage rates (and what doesn't)

    Don't time your purchase to Fed meetings. Understand what actually moves mortgage rates.

  4. 4
    Read

    The home buying process — and what surprises people

    A 30–45 day timeline, 4–6% above your down payment for total cash to close, and a handful of surprises most buyers don't budget for.

  5. 5
    Read

    Choosing a real estate agent

    Choose on track record in your specific neighborhood and price range, not lowest commission.

  6. 6
    Read

    Mortgage broker vs. direct lender

    Three quotes minimum — direct lender, credit union, mortgage broker. Compare APR, not just rate.

  7. 7
    Open

    Climate & insurance check

    The fastest-growing risk category. If only the state insurer of last resort will write the policy, that's an insurability problem, not a coverage problem.

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