Credit profile
- Pull all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).
- Dispute errors at least 60 days before applying.
- Keep utilization under 30% per card.
- Do not open new accounts or finance a car.
Buyer checklist · Before pre-approval
First-Time Home Buyer Checklist
Everything you need to assemble before talking to a lender — credit, documents, down payment programs and a realistic timeline.
Documents to gather
- Last 2 years W-2s and federal tax returns.
- Last 30 days of pay stubs.
- Last 2 months of all bank/asset statements (every page).
- Valid government ID and Social Security card.
- If self-employed: 2 years of 1099s + YTD profit-and-loss statement.
Down payment programs
- Conventional 97: 3% down for first-time buyers.
- FHA: 3.5% down, allows lower credit scores.
- VA: 0% down for eligible veterans.
- USDA: 0% down in qualifying rural areas.
- State/local DPA: grants and second-loan programs (we match you).
Realistic timeline
From pre-approval to keys: typically 30–45 days. Pre-approval itself takes 24–72 hours once documents are submitted.
Closing costs to budget
Plan for 2–5% of the purchase price in closing costs: origination, title, appraisal, first-year insurance and property tax escrow.
Red flags to avoid
- Large unexplained deposits in your account.
- Changing jobs mid-process.
- Co-signing on someone else's debt.
Ready to put this into action?
Book a free 30-minute strategy call. We'll walk through your file, identify the right program, and define a realistic timeline.
Buyer checklist
First-Time Home Buyer Checklist
Everything you need before pre-approval: credit, documents, down payment programs and timelines.
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