So you want to buy a house : Step 1

The First Step in the Home Buying Journey

Buying your first home is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. With so much information online, it’s hard to know where to begin. Before you start scrolling listings or attending open houses, there is one important first step that helps make the entire process smoother and less stressful.

Start With a Lender Conversation

For first time buyers, the true first step is having a conversation with a lender.

A lender’s role is to review your overall financial picture. Some lenders may recommend waiting, some may suggest moving forward now, and others may outline different loan programs you didn’t even know existed. That guidance should always come directly from the lender. Every buyer’s situation is different, and lenders are the best resource to explain options based on your specific circumstances.

Why Preapproval Matters

Most of us check our bank accounts to see how much we have available to spend before we go to the grocery store. That same shopping approach applies to home buying as well. How much do I have to spend? How much do I want to spend?

Getting preapproved is an important part, if not the MOST important part, of the process, especially in today’s market. Preapproval helps set expectations and allows you to shop for homes with confidence.

From a seller’s perspective, a preapproved buyer is viewed as serious and prepared. It shows that you’ve taken the right steps and are ready to move forward when you find the right home.

Your Real Estate Agent and Lender Work Together

One of the biggest advantages for first time buyers is having a real estate agent and lender working together from the start. While the lender focuses on loan options and approval, your agent focuses on the home search, strategy, and contract details.

When these two professionals are aligned early, the process tends to feel smoother, more organized, and far less stressful for the buyer.

What You Should Focus On Instead

As a buyer, your main focus at this stage should be understanding the process, asking questions, and getting clear on your goals for your future home. You don’t need to make assumptions or changes without professional guidance.

Make a list of questions to ask your lender and agent. You will have many…MANY questions, and we love questions. It shows us you truly want to understand and allows us the opportunity to educate, get to know our clients and build a better relationship. Starting with the q & a conversations sets the foundation for a successful and confident home buying experience.

Why This First Step Makes a Difference

First time buyers who begin with a lender conversation and preapproval are better prepared, better informed, and in an overall better position when the right home comes along.

Once this step is complete, the exciting part begins: touring homes, making decisions with clarity, and moving closer to ownership.

Why I Recommend Starting Here

As a real estate professional, I’ve seen how much smoother the buying process feels when first time buyers begin with the right foundation. Starting with a lender conversation and preapproval helps eliminate guesswork and creates clarity from day one.

It allows us to focus on homes that truly fit your goals and timeline, and it helps ensure that when you find the right one, you’re ready to move forward with confidence.

What Comes Next

Once you’ve spoken with a lender and have a clear understanding of your buying position, the next step is beginning the home search with intention. This includes narrowing down locations, defining must haves, and touring homes strategically instead of casually.

That step deserves its own conversation, and it’s where the process really starts to feel exciting.

If you’re a first time buyer and not sure where to start, I’m happy to connect you with trusted local lenders and guide you through the process step by step.

Rebecca DeLawder
Real Estate Professional | Southern Ohio

Keywords: first time home buyer, home buying process, mortgage preapproval, real estate agent Southern Ohio, buying your first home