Ready to buy
your first home?
Buying your first home is one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make. It doesn't have to be one of the most stressful. We've helped thousands of first-time buyers go from "thinking about it" to holding the keys, and we're here to help you do the same.
Get Educated
The more you know going in, the better position you'll be in when it counts. Start by understanding what homeownership actually costs month to month. Your mortgage payment isn't just principal and interest. It also includes taxes, insurance, and possibly mortgage insurance depending on your down payment.
Run the numbers with our mortgage calculators to get a realistic picture before you fall in love with a house.
A few things worth understanding before you start shopping:
- Your credit score matters more than you think. It affects your interest rate, your loan options, and sometimes whether you qualify at all. The good news is that it's fixable if it needs work, and a loan officer can tell you exactly where you stand.
- Down payments aren't always 20%. Many first-time buyers could qualify with as little as 3% to 3.5% down, and there are assistance programs that can help bridge the gap. If you're not sure what's available in your area, it's worth asking.
Get Connected
No two buyers are in the same situation, which means there's no one-size-fits-all loan. The fastest way to figure out what's right for you is to talk to a loan officer. Not to get sold something. To get a clear picture of where you stand, what you can afford, and which loan programs fit your situation.
Getting pre-qualified is the right first move. It takes minutes, requires very little documentation, and gives you a price range before you start seriously shopping. It also shows sellers and real estate agents that you mean business.
Once you're pre-qualified, we can help connect you with a real estate agent who knows your market, or you can bring your own. Either way, you'll be shopping with confidence instead of guessing.
Get Approved
Once you've found a home you love and your offer is accepted, things move quickly. Your loan officer will guide you through every step, but it helps to know what's coming.
We'll pull your credit, order an appraisal, and collect a few documents including (but not limited to) recent pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and employment history. Our process is fully digital, so no fax machines and no unnecessary back-and-forth. (Castle & Cooke Mortgage, LLC does not require any documentation to complete a loan application or to receive a Loan Estimate.)
From there, your file goes to underwriting. Our average underwriting turnaround is 24 hours, which means you're not sitting around wondering what's happening. We stay in close contact at every step, and your loan officer is always reachable.
When you get the clear to close, you'll receive a Closing Disclosure outlining the final numbers. Review it carefully, bring your ID to the closing table, and get ready.
Get Excited
You did it!
The paperwork is signed, the keys are yours, and you're officially a homeowner.
Now comes the part nobody really prepares you for: owning a home is different from renting one. There's maintenance, tools you didn't know you needed, and a whole list of things that are now your responsibility in the best possible way.
We've put together a few resources to help you hit the ground running.
From starter home
to dream home
Your first home could be closer thank you think!
Let's figure out where you stand and what it takes to get you there.