First Home

Do these actions in order

1. ACTION 1A mortgage is a loan used to buy a home. The monthly cost of owning may also include property taxes, insurance, association fees, utilities, and repairs. Do not compare rent with a loan payment alone.
   I’m stuck — help with this action

   Your next small step

   A mortgage is a loan used to buy a home. The monthly cost of owning may also include property taxes, insurance, association fees, utilities, and repairs. Do not compare rent with a loan payment alone.

   Get ready

   Open Money & Budgeting, then the CFPB buying-a-house guide below.

   • Your monthly income, spending, debt payments, and savings totals.
   • A rough idea of where you want to live and for how long.
   • A folder for written estimates and questions; keep financial documents in secure storage.

   Make it manageable

   1. Find the office, website, document, or person named above.
   2. Work on this one action. If it needs a response, write down who you contacted and when.
   3. Check the result below before checking off the action. Pause and ask if a requirement is unclear.

   What finished looks like

   You have your own money picture and a list of costs that need estimates.

   Words explained

   “Requirement” means something you must provide or do. “Deadline” means the last date or time to complete it. “Follow up” means checking what happens next after your first contact.

   What you can say

   What would my full monthly cost be?

   Choose a call or message script

   Where to get more help

   If buying is not affordable or the process feels unclear, pause before making a commitment. Ask the housing counselor for a preparation plan. Continuing to rent while you learn is a valid next step.

   Buying a house, step by step (U.S. CFPB) · Start at “Prepare to shop”; follow later stages when they apply to you.

   Find a HUD-approved housing counselor · Search by ZIP code and confirm services and fees before booking.

2. ACTION 2Write down how much you have saved and what part you need to keep for ordinary bills and unexpected costs. Ask about down payment and closing costs, which are separate costs paid as part of completing a purchase.
   I’m stuck — help with this action

   Your next small step

   Write down how much you have saved and what part you need to keep for ordinary bills and unexpected costs. Ask about down payment and closing costs, which are separate costs paid as part of completing a purchase.

   Get ready

   Open Money & Budgeting, then the CFPB buying-a-house guide below.

   • Your monthly income, spending, debt payments, and savings totals.
   • A rough idea of where you want to live and for how long.
   • A folder for written estimates and questions; keep financial documents in secure storage.

   Make it manageable

   1. Find the office, website, document, or person named above.
   2. Work on this one action. If it needs a response, write down who you contacted and when.
   3. Check the result below before checking off the action. Pause and ask if a requirement is unclear.

   What finished looks like

   You have your own money picture and a list of costs that need estimates.

   Words explained

   “Requirement” means something you must provide or do. “Deadline” means the last date or time to complete it. “Follow up” means checking what happens next after your first contact.

   What you can say

   What would my full monthly cost be?

   Choose a call or message script

   Where to get more help

   If buying is not affordable or the process feels unclear, pause before making a commitment. Ask the housing counselor for a preparation plan. Continuing to rent while you learn is a valid next step.

   Buying a house, step by step (U.S. CFPB) · Start at “Prepare to shop”; follow later stages when they apply to you.

   Find a HUD-approved housing counselor · Search by ZIP code and confirm services and fees before booking.

3. ACTION 3Make a “learn first” list instead of choosing a price from an advertisement. A lender’s maximum offer does not decide what is comfortable for your everyday life.
   I’m stuck — help with this action

   Your next small step

   Make a “learn first” list instead of choosing a price from an advertisement. A lender’s maximum offer does not decide what is comfortable for your everyday life.

   Get ready

   Open Money & Budgeting, then the CFPB buying-a-house guide below.

   • Your monthly income, spending, debt payments, and savings totals.
   • A rough idea of where you want to live and for how long.
   • A folder for written estimates and questions; keep financial documents in secure storage.

   Make it manageable

   1. Find the office, website, document, or person named above.
   2. Work on this one action. If it needs a response, write down who you contacted and when.
   3. Check the result below before checking off the action. Pause and ask if a requirement is unclear.

   What finished looks like

   You have your own money picture and a list of costs that need estimates.

   Words explained

   “Requirement” means something you must provide or do. “Deadline” means the last date or time to complete it. “Follow up” means checking what happens next after your first contact.

   What you can say

   What would my full monthly cost be?

   Choose a call or message script

   Where to get more help

   If buying is not affordable or the process feels unclear, pause before making a commitment. Ask the housing counselor for a preparation plan. Continuing to rent while you learn is a valid next step.

   Buying a house, step by step (U.S. CFPB) · Start at “Prepare to shop”; follow later stages when they apply to you.

   Find a HUD-approved housing counselor · Search by ZIP code and confirm services and fees before booking.

You are ready to move on whenYou have your own money picture and a list of costs that need estimates.