CelestialSerenade+Follow5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Buying My First HomeBuying my first home was a rollercoaster of excitement and nerves! I remember walking into open houses, imagining my future, but also feeling overwhelmed by all the paperwork and decisions. One thing I wish I’d known sooner: always get a thorough inspection, even if the house looks perfect. I learned the hard way when a hidden plumbing issue popped up after moving in. Also, don’t be afraid to negotiate—sometimes sellers are more flexible than you think! If you’re about to take this big step, trust your instincts and ask lots of questions. What’s your biggest concern about buying your first home? Share your thoughts below! #FirstTimeHomebuyer #HomebuyingTips #LifeHacks280Share
John Fields+Followyour rent history could be your mortgage ticketDid you know your rent payment history can boost your mortgage application? Many lenders now consider consistent rent payments as proof of financial responsibility. Ask your landlord for formal rent statements when applying for a mortgage. This can be especially powerful if you have limited credit history but a solid rental track record! #mortgagetips #firsttimehomebuyer #homeownership #realestate687Share
Thomas Clark+FollowI spent $2000 cleaning my new house because the seller left it a mess. Can I get my money back?I am a first time homebuyer and I think I just got completely taken advantage of. The seller of my new home was 97 years old and her daughter handled the move. The contract said the house would be "broom clean" when they left. They ended up moving out a week early, which seemed great at the time. However, I opened the door, and found a disaster. The basement was floor to ceiling with old boxes and moldy junk. There was even rotten food left in the fridge. My friends and I had to spend about 30 hours cleaning and hauling everything out! It cost me about 2000 dollars just for the dumpster and professional cleaners. I reached out to the daughter to see if she would compensate me since they did not fulfill the contract. She told me she did not owe me anything because they did me a favor by leaving early! She has not replied to me since. I want to take them to small claims court but I am running into some major issues. The contract is in the name of the 97 year old not her daughter and I would feel terrible going after her. I also do not have the daughter's address since she is not replying. My realtor has also been completely useless and is not responding to me. I have no idea what to do. I'm located in Ohio. I would love any advice on who I can pursue here or how to even get the info I need to start a lawsuit. 😭😡 #FirstTimeHomebuyer #RealEstate #LegalAdvice #Scam #HelpNeeded #SmallClaims #RealtorNightmare #HomeOwnership 95151Share
lvasquez+FollowAnyone else saving for their first home?Ready to buy a home for my family but feeling lost on where to start! Curious: how long did it take you to save for your down payment? Did you use separate savings accounts or special programs? Share your home-buying journey and savings strategies below! Let's learn from each other. #firsttimehomebuyer #savingforahome #realestatetips #RealEstate #BuyingHome72Share
lvasquez+Follow$13 HOA fee?? make it make senseHouse hunting and seeing homes with $13 monthly HOA fees has me completely baffled. What could this possibly cover?? One light bulb change per year? Half a shrub trimmed? Most HOAs I see are $150+ with actual amenities. Is this a trick before they quadruple it later? So confused right now! 🏠😵 #firsttimehomebuyer #realestate #HOA00Share
Denise Kemp+FollowMore Ways to Score Help for Your First HomeThinking about buying a home but worried about the down payment? Good news: there are now over 2,500 programs out there to help, with an average benefit of $18,000. In just the last few months, 43 new options popped up, including help for folks buying manufactured or multi-family homes. That means more ways to get your foot in the door—even if you’re not a first-timer or have a unique situation. Time to check what’s out there before you sign that lease again! #homebuying #downpaymentassistance #realestate #moneytips #firsttimehomebuyer00Share
kristenbass+Followis 50% of my income too much for a mortgage?Looking at $320k homes on a $100k salary has me so confused! I can only put down $20k, making my mortgage ~$2000/month—that's half my take-home pay after maxing retirement accounts. Is this normal? Sustainable? I'm debt-free but the numbers make my head spin! What percentage of your income goes to housing? #firsttimehomebuyer #mortgageadvice #financialplanning108Share
kristenbass+FollowAnyone else miss friday's low rates? 😩Ugh! Was about to refinance from my 6.99% down to 6% yesterday, but waited too long! Now rates jumped again! First-time homeowner mistakes... Is anyone else kicking themselves for not locking in sooner? What's your strategy - lock immediately or wait for another dip? Curious about your experiences! #mortgagerates #firsttimehomebuyer #housingmarket10Share
First Key Finds+Followfirst-time homebuyer: buy to live or invest?When buying the first home, the big question is often: Should I buy a home to live in or an investment property? Here's the difference: A primary home is about comfort, quality of life, and finding a space where you feel at peace. But an investment property is all about cash flow, returns, and calculating the right location. While your home might be a little more expensive because it's where you want to live, an investment property has to make financial sense and offer solid returns. Remember, investment properties aren't about buying expensive—they're about finding the right deal. Start with cash flow, then focus on lifestyle! #investmenttips #firsttimehomebuyer #propertygoals70Share
First Key Finds+FollowWow, $200k for first-time homebuyers in the Bay Area!Great news for first-time homebuyers in the Bay Area! The Silicon Valley Housing Trust is launching the Home Access Program this May, offering up to $200,000 in down payment assistance. This is a huge win for those looking to make their first purchase here! The program offers zero-interest, no-monthly-payment loans for 30 years, with only a 3% annual interest if you sell before the 30 years are up. If you’re a young family with stable income but struggling to save for a down payment, this could reduce your upfront costs by up to 40%! Ready to dive in? Start preparing your documents now, as spots will be limited when the registration opens in May! #bayarea #firsttimehomebuyer60Share
