First Time Home Buyer Guide

Prequalify for a Loan

Learn more about getting pre-approved.

Know the Steps in Buying a House

There’s a lot to consider. Get your step-by-step checklist.

Learn What to Expect - and What Questions to Ask

No first time home buyer guide would be complete without information on finding monthly payments work sheets, exploring your loan options, comparing loan officers, and learning all about the loan process through closing, at the ConsumerFinance.gov website.

Home Loan Toolkit

Learn how to get the best mortgages, understand closing costs, and become a successful homeowner! This booklet will teach you all.

Have a Question about Buying a Home for the First Time?

Cathy Wahlin

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The First Step in Buying a House is Getting Financing

If you will be financing your home, the first call you want to make is to a lender to get pre-approved. This can be at your local bank branch or credit union – or we can suggest several very good loan officers. If you need help with the down payment, there are also several options … Just Ask!

Here’s what you will need to get pre-approved:

The lender will use this information to let you know what price-point you should be looking for in a home.

Your social security number so they can get your credit score.
W-2’s
Tax Returns – Last 2 years
Bank statements – 2 Months
Paystubs – Last 2
Any assets and debt you have

Contact Cathy for a referral to a mortgage broker who can help you finance your next home or investment.

Contact

About the CFPB

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a federal agency that helps consumer finance markets work by making rules more effective, by consistently and fairly enforcing those rules, and by empowering consumers to take more control over their economic lives.

Mortgage Calculator

Here is your mortgage calculator to estimate your buying power.

Mortgage Calc

First Time Home Buyer Tips & News

Credit Score Myths

We’ve all heard of them – the credit score myths that pop up just when you’re getting ready to apply for a home loan. Why is it important to care about your credit score? Lenders use credit scores to evaluate how likely you are to repay a loan in a timely manner. The higher […]

What First Time Home Buyers Need to Know

July 21, 2016/in First Time Home Buyer Tips, How To Invest in Real Estate /by Cathy Wahlin

I work with a lot of first time home buyers here in Seattle. So much so, that I put together a comprehensive checklist around the steps of buying a house. But what should you look out for as soon as you move in? I came across this great article at HouseLogic that really spelled […]

How to Qualify for a Mortgage in Seattle

March 5, 2016/in First Time Home Buyer Tips /by Cathy Wahlin

Are you in the market to buy a house? Wondering how to qualify for a mortgage in Seattle?