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Watch a short about how buying your first home works.
Play videoFirst-time Homebuyer
Buying your first home can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to understand everything before you begin.
This page will help you understand the basic steps, estimate a comfortable payment, learn what lenders look for, and know what questions to ask.
Start here
A simple way to begin if you are buying your first home and are not sure what to do first.
Estimate
Use our payment calculators to estimate a comfortable monthly payment.
Open calculator
Understand
Read a simple first-time buyer guide to learn what happens before and after you apply.
Read guide
Move forward
Ready to take the next step? Start your application here.
ApplyAlso explore
Plan your payment
Before you focus on a home price, start with the monthly payment. Buying your first home usually feels easier when you understand how payment, down payment, taxes, insurance, and loan terms work together.
Payment calculator
See how you down payment and loan term affect your mortgage payment.
Open calculatorAffordability calculator
See how payment, taxes, insurance, and down payment affect how much home you can afford.
Open calculatorBuy vs. rent calculator
Compare the long-term cost of renting with the potential cost and benefits of buying a home.
Open calculatorExtra payment calculator
See how making extra payments could reduce interest and shorten the life of your mortgage.
Open calculatorCan I qualify?
First-time buyers often have questions about credit, income, savings, and down payment.
Featured qualification topic
Can I qualify with student loans?
Learn how student loans are counted when qualifying for a mortgage, including deferred loans, income-based repayment plans, and differences among conventional, FHA, USDA, and VA guidelines.
More qualification topics
- Can I qualify with limited savings? How much money do I need to close? Learn how down payment, closing costs, prepaid expenses, escrow deposits, insurance, taxes, and prepaid interest combine to determine the total funds needed to close.
- Can I qualify with limited savings for a down payment? Learn how much down payment may be needed to buy a home, including low-down-payment and no-down-payment mortgage options such as conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans.
- Can I qualify with limited savings for closing costs? Learn what closing costs and prepaid expenses are, how they affect the cash needed to buy a home, and why no-closing-cost offers should be reviewed carefully.
More ways we can help
Some loan options are designed around a specific goal or situation. If one of these fits what you're trying to do, visit the page to request details or answer a few questions.
Could a mortgage interest tax credit boost your tax refund?
A mortgage interest tax credit may reduce your federal tax bill and put more money back in your pocket. Take the quiz to see whether this benefit may apply.
Take the quizCan you get down payment assistance in Texas?
Down payment assistance may make buying a home more realistic than you think. Take the quiz to see whether you may qualify.
Take the quizYou're eligible for a VA loan
VA loans include benefits many eligible buyers do not fully understand. Request details to learn how VA loan features may make buying a home easier or more flexible.
Request detailsDon't let gig work stop you from buying a home!
Gig income can make mortgage qualification feel complicated, but it does not have to stop your homebuying plans. This option may help you qualify without using tax returns.
Request detailsWorkshops
Learn live and ask questions in a low-pressure setting.
First Time Homebuyers Class
Type: Online
Buying your first home can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to understand how much you can afford, how pre-approval works, what credit issues matter, and how much money you really need to get started. This workshop walks through the homebuying and mortgage process in plain English. We’ll talk about how lenders estimate affordability, what goes into a pre-approval, and the main factors used to qualify for a mortgage, including credit score, credit history, income, debts, and funds available for closing. We’ll also cover down payment options, gift funds, closing costs, mortgage insurance, rate locks, and the differences between common loan programs such as conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, and non-conventional loans. The goal is not to pressure you into buying a home. The goal is to help you understand the process, ask better questions, and make more confident decisions when you are ready. This class is especially helpful for first-time buyers, buyers who are early in the planning process, and real estate agents who want a clearer understanding of how mortgage qualification works.
RegisterFirst Time Homebuyers Class
Type: Online
Buying your first home can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to understand how much you can afford, how pre-approval works, what credit issues matter, and how much money you really need to get started. This workshop walks through the homebuying and mortgage process in plain English. We’ll talk about how lenders estimate affordability, what goes into a pre-approval, and the main factors used to qualify for a mortgage, including credit score, credit history, income, debts, and funds available for closing. We’ll also cover down payment options, gift funds, closing costs, mortgage insurance, rate locks, and the differences between common loan programs such as conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, and non-conventional loans. The goal is not to pressure you into buying a home. The goal is to help you understand the process, ask better questions, and make more confident decisions when you are ready. This class is especially helpful for first-time buyers, buyers who are early in the planning process, and real estate agents who want a clearer understanding of how mortgage qualification works.
RegisterWhat clients say
“We can''t say enough about the great service we received. There were a lot of hiccups along the way and they were masterfully navigated by Steve and Tracy. I can''t recommend Lone Star Lending and Steve more highly. It was a pleasure to work with them and we are happy with our home.”
— John and Judith S.
From the kitchen
Because life is not all mortgages. Click on a recipe card to enlarge and print it.
Sheet Pan Chicken
Salmon Bites
Ready to move forward?
When you're ready, the next step is simple.
Have a question? Use the chat icon in the bottom right - we're here to help.