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Buy Hub · First-Time

Your first home, without the guesswork.

Buying a first home is a sequence of decisions that feel bigger than they are when each one is explained ahead of time. This guide walks through the first-time buyer path in South Florida, and mirrors the full First-Time Buyers page.

Five Steps

From first conversation to first keys.

  1. 01

    Know your real budget

    Your budget is the monthly reality: mortgage payment, taxes, insurance, and association fees together. Build that model before you fall for a house.

  2. 02

    Get pre-approved early

    A pre-approval sets your price band and tells sellers you are serious, and it surfaces credit or documentation issues months before closing.

  3. 03

    Choose the neighborhood for your routine

    Commute, school assignments verified by address, parks, and groceries: the neighborhood is the daily part of the decision.

  4. 04

    Make an offer with your future in mind

    Inspection, financing, and timeline terms protect as much as the price. Nanci explains every line before you sign.

  5. 05

    Prepare for closing week

    Final walkthrough, documents, funds, and keys: the last week goes smoothly when every item is confirmed in advance.

Programs That Help First-Timers

The loan paths worth asking about.

FHA loans

Lower down payment and credit requirements, popular with first-time buyers. A lender models the real cost.

VA loans

For eligible military families: no down payment and strong terms. See the Military and Veterans guide for more.

Conventional 97

A conventional loan with as little as 3% down for qualified buyers.

Down payment assistance

Florida-first programs and local assistance vary by county and availability. Nanci points you to the lenders who track them.

The complete first-time buyer journey, including the full cost breakdown and closing week, lives at /first-time-buyers/. Run the numbers first with the mortgage calculator.

One Conversation

The first conversation is free of jargon.

Nanci walks first-timers through the whole path in plain language, in English or Spanish, with no pressure.