Knowledge Hub · 24 pages
🏠Buying Your First Home
The whole sequence — from “can I even do this?” to keys in hand.
“I've never bought a home. Where do I start?”
Overview
Buying your first home is a sequence, not a leap. Most buyers stall because nobody laid out the order of operations — what to fix first, what to save, who to talk to, and what actually happens between an accepted offer and the keys.
This hub is the whole sequence in one place. Start with the complete guide if you're brand new, jump to the timeline if you want dates, or go straight to the checklist if you're already talking to a lender.
Featured guide
Start hereThe Complete First-Time Homebuyer's Guide (2026)17 chapters covering credit, savings, pre-approval, offers, inspections, and closing.Read itLearning path
The right order for this topic.
Start here
Timeline
How long each stage really takes.
Checklist
What to gather and what to do next.
Budget
The real numbers behind the monthly payment.
Mistakes to avoid
Tax benefits
Moving & after closing
Tools
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to buy a first home?
From serious preparation to keys, most first-time buyers take 3–9 months: 1–3 months fixing credit and savings, 1–2 weeks for pre-approval, 4–10 weeks house hunting, and 30–45 days from accepted offer to closing.
How much money do I need to buy my first home?
Plan on 3.5%–5% down plus 2%–4% of the purchase price in closing costs, plus 1–3 months of reserves. On a $350,000 home that's roughly $20,000–$32,000 total — less if you qualify for down payment assistance or a VA/USDA loan.
What credit score do I need as a first-time buyer?
580 for FHA with 3.5% down, 620 for most conventional loans, and 620–640 for typical VA and USDA lender overlays. Higher scores mostly buy you a lower rate and cheaper mortgage insurance, not approval itself.
Ask RED about buying your first home
“I've never bought a home before. Where should I start?”