First-time buyers
Buying your first home comes with a lot of new words and a lot of waiting. I'll walk you through every step like a friend would, and I'll tell you the truth about where you stand.
How it works
Tell me what you want, where you want to buy, and how you get paid. Reach out during the day and I'll usually get back to you that day.
Pay stubs, bank statements, and your ID. We'll send you a list made for your file, so you're not guessing.
We go through everything the same way an underwriter would. That's when you get your pre-approval.
Offers move on the agent's clock. People tour at night and on weekends, so that's when I pick up the phone.
The appraisal, final underwriting, and a few more documents. Then you get your keys. In South Carolina, an attorney runs the closing.
Before you make an offer
A pre-approval still isn't a final approval or a rate lock. The home, the appraisal, and the title still have to check out.
What you'll need
I'll narrow this list to your file.
Before you make an offer, I'll put real numbers on each of these for your file.
A first-time buyer story
“That one’s all him.”
A Realtor I work with in Greenville called me about a client. First-time buyer. Nervous. And his credit was in rough shape. He'd already called other lenders and brokers, and nobody had given him the time.
So I called him. We slowed down. I walked him through where he stood and what it would take to get pre-approved. No shortcuts, just a plan.
Then he went to work. He did every single thing on that list. I checked in the whole way and answered every question as it came up.
Just under two years later, he bought his first home. That one's all him. And it started with an agent who cared enough to keep looking for help.
Buying in the Upstate
Questions I get a lot
Usually a few weeks. The appraisal, underwriting, and final documents each take time, and the calendar moves when documents move. Once I see your contract, I'll give you a timeline for your file, not a guess.
Pre-qualified means we talked through numbers you gave me. Pre-approved means your documents are in and we've gone through them the same way an underwriter would. My team has over 20 years of underwriting experience. That's the one listing agents take seriously.
No. Down payment is one piece of the file, not the whole thing. Credit, the loan program, and the cash you'll need at closing all matter. We start with what you actually have, not a number you saw in an ad.
Often, yes. Most loan programs allow gift money from family. You'll need a gift letter and a paper trail showing where the money came from. The rules differ by program, so tell me early and I'll tell you exactly what your lender needs.
No. FHA is open to repeat buyers too. It's popular with first-time buyers because it can work with a smaller down payment and a thinner credit history, but its mortgage insurance works differently. I'll show you how it compares to a conventional loan on your file.
Got a question that isn't here?
Text me. Every file is different, and I'll tell you what applies to yours.
Text (980) 987-1299 →
Joe CalecaSenior Loan Officer, Mpire FinancialNMLS 2302900
Ask me anything. I'll talk to you like a friend.