First-time buyer guide · DFW

The 9 steps to buying your first home

The whole path from renting to keys — what happens at each step, what it costs, and where the help is. No jargon, no gatekeeping. The steps are all right here.

Find out where you stand — honestly

Before the house hunt, get a clear snapshot of your own numbers: income, savings, monthly debts, credit. Not to be judged — to know your starting line. This takes minutes, and it turns "someday" into a plan with dates on it.

Get your free snapshot (8 questions)

Think in monthly payment, not sticker price

The number that shapes your life isn't the price of the house — it's what you pay each month, including property taxes (a big deal in Texas), insurance, and sometimes HOA dues. Pick the monthly payment you can live with first, and let it set your price range.

Try the true-payment calculator

Build your foundation: credit and savings

Most first-time buyers don't start "ready" — they get ready. A few months of on-time payments, paying down cards, and steady saving moves you further than most people expect. Small moves compound fast here.

What actually matters about credit

Learn what help exists — there's more than most renters think

First-time buyer programs, down-payment assistance, and builder incentives all exist in Texas — and most renters have never heard of the ones that could apply to them. Eligibility varies by program, location, and your finances, so this step is about learning the landscape, not filling out applications.

See what DFW builders are offering

Gather your documents

Lenders will want proof of income, bank statements, tax returns, and ID. Collecting these early — before anyone asks — makes every later step faster and calmer.

Free document checklist

Get pre-approved

A pre-approval is a lender's written estimate of what they'd likely lend you, based on your real documents. It tells sellers you're serious and tells you your true budget. You can — and often should — compare more than one lender.

Pick your team, then tour smart

Your agent should work for you — not the seller, not the builder. Then tour with a checklist and your monthly payment in mind, so pretty countertops don't decide a 30-year commitment.

What to look for during a tour

Make your offer — then inspection and appraisal

Your agent helps you decide price and terms, then two protective checkpoints follow: an inspection (what shape is the house really in?) and an appraisal (is the price fair?). Both exist to protect you, and both can be renegotiation moments.

Offer to keys, step by step

Close — and get your keys

At closing you'll sign the final paperwork and pay your closing costs (typically a few percent of the price — plan for them early so they're never a surprise). Then the house is yours. 🏡

The true cost of buying, itemized

Now see your version of these steps

Everyone walks the same nine steps — but where you start, which programs may fit, and what this month’s move is are yours alone. Answer 8 quick questions and your personal plan lays it out, with a real DFW coach one message away the whole time.

Build my free plan

Free · 8 quick questions · no pressure, ever

First-time buyer questions

How long does buying your first home take?

It depends on your starting point. If your credit and savings are ready, the house hunt through closing often runs two to four months. If you're building your foundation first, add the months of saving and credit work — which is exactly why starting the plan early matters more than starting it perfectly.

How much do I need saved?

Often less than renters assume. Between low-down-payment loan types, down-payment assistance programs, and builder incentives in DFW, the cash needed varies widely by situation. What's universal: you'll want some savings for closing costs and moving, and a plan tells you your real number instead of a guess.

What credit score do I need?

There's no single magic number — different loan types and programs have different requirements, and lenders make the final call. What we can say: many first-time buyers qualify for financing with credit in the 580–640 range, and a few months of focused work often moves a score meaningfully. Your plan shows where you stand and what to work on.

What does HomeStart's help cost?

Your plan and your coaching are free, with no obligation. If and when you decide to buy, we'll explain exactly how we work and how we're paid — in plain English, before you commit to anything.