How to Find and Choose Your First Home

Define Your “Top Five” Priorities

List five things that matter most (e.g., school district, commute, price, yard, bedrooms). Use them to guide tours and compare homes apples-to-apples.

• Must-haves vs. nice-to-haves (separate them early).
• Budget guardrails (payment you’re truly comfortable with).
• Lifestyle fit (work, hobbies, pets, future plans).

Research Neighborhoods Like a Local

• Visit at different times (rush hour, evenings, weekends).
• Check noise, traffic, parking, and walkability.
• Ask your agent about price trends and time-on-market.

Tour With a Plan

Bring a simple checklist, take photos, and score each home against your Top Five. Small issues are normal-focus on layout, light, and location.

Make Smart Trade-Offs

• Prioritize location over cosmetic updates-paint and fixtures are easy.
• Consider future flexibility (room to grow, WFH space, ADU potential).
• If you love the street and floor plan, minor flaws are fixable over time.

Write a Confident Offer

Lean on your agent for comps and terms that matter in today’s market: price, credits, contingencies, and timing. Sometimes flexibility beats a slightly higher price.

• Match offer strength to competition (ask about recent similar sales).
• Keep inspection and appraisal timelines realistic.
• Have pre-approval on hand and documents ready to move quickly.

*Informational only; not legal, tax, or financial advice.