Before the open houses, imagine an ordinary day at home
Maybe you are newly married, expecting a baby, or ready to trade rent for a place that is yours. You picture backyard dinners, a room for the baby, or a dog waiting at the door. Alongside that excitement, you may wonder whether buying will leave enough room for everything else you love.
What would buying mean for your monthly spending?
Before you fall in love with a listing, I can help you connect the payment and purchase costs to the savings you want left over. You can begin with questions, even if buying is still a way off.
Amy DeBusk | Branch Manager & Mortgage Advisor
Amy DeBusk Home Loans, powered by loanDepot
That is where I like to begin. We can look at your comfortable monthly spending plan, the money you want to keep in savings, and changes you expect in the next few years. Childcare, parental leave, student loans, and a different commute all belong in the conversation.
You can start learning before you are ready to apply
My First-Time Homebuyer Hub brings the steps, loan options, and common questions together. Start there if you want the big picture. The free Homebuyer Course lets you learn at your own pace, and the homebuyer quiz can help you identify what to explore next.
For a payment starting point, use the mortgage calculator, then visit Affording Your Mortgage Payment. An estimate is a planning tool, not a loan approval or a complete picture of your ownership costs.
We can compare the options without assuming you need 20% down
Your down payment is one part of the plan. Closing costs, moving expenses, repairs, and savings after the purchase matter too. We can compare conventional, FHA, and eligible down payment assistance options based on your circumstances. If you have military service, we can also review your VA purchase options.
You and your partner may have different incomes, debts, or credit histories. I will explain how those pieces affect your choices before you decide how much home to shop for. If family will help, let me know whether that means a gift, shared ownership, or buying together. The Buying a Home With Family Hub explains that next conversation.
A simple place to begin
Write down the monthly payment you would feel comfortable with, the savings you want to protect, and your hoped-for timing. Use my homebuyer checklist to organize your questions. Then we can meet by Zoom, phone, or at my office and make a plan together.
I'll help you compare what each of you wants with the payment, cash needed, and preparation involved, so you can make the next decision together.
Send me your first-home question. You can be curious, still saving, or ready to begin. There is a useful next step at each stage.
Your questions, answered
Do we have to be ready to buy right now?
No. We can start with education and preparation, including your spending plan, savings, and questions about qualifying. Your timing helps shape the next step.
What if our credit histories are different?
I will review the qualifying picture for the applicants and explain how program requirements affect your choices. A planning conversation can help you understand what to address before applying.
Should we use all our savings for a down payment?
We should compare the purchase costs with the savings you want available afterward. A larger down payment is only helpful if the overall plan still supports your household.