--- title: HomeLend Mortgage Blog | First Time Home Buyer description: First Time Home Buyer | HomeLend Mortgage Blog --- - [(888) 749-9595](tel:8887499595) - [info@homelend.net](mailto:info@homelend.net) [![HomeLendLogo_TM-01-1](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/HomeLendLogo_TM-01-1.png?width=961&name=HomeLendLogo_TM-01-1.png)](https://homelend.net/)   - [Login](https://apply.homelend.net/#/) - [Apply](https://apply.homelend.net/#/milestones) - [Today’s Rates](https://homelend.net/quote/) - [Loan Programs](https://homelend.net/loan-programs/) - [Blog](https://homelend.net/education/) - [Calculator](https://homelend.net/mortgage-calculator/) - [About](https://homelend.net/about-us/) [tel:8887499595](tel:8887499595) [mailto:info@homelend.net](mailto:info@homelend.net) [![Homelend](https://blog.homelend.net/hubfs/HomeLendMortgage_January2020/images/Homelend_Logo_3_8_17_2000-scaled.png)](https://homelend.net/) - [Today’s Rates](https://homelend.net/quote/) - [Loan Programs](https://homelend.net/loan-programs/) - [Blog](https://homelend.net/education/) - [Calculator](https://homelend.net/mortgage-calculator/) - [About](https://homelend.net/about-us/) - [Login](https://homelend.net/about-us/) - [Apply](https://homelend.net/about-us/) - [(888) 749-9595](tel:8887499595) - [info@homelend.net](mailto:info@homelend.net) © 2019 # HomeLend Mortgage Blog We don’t expect you to know everything there is to know about buying a home. We provide you with expert service for a reason! Feel free to explore our blog to find some quick answers to all your home loan-related questions. ##### [Home Buying](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/tag/home-buying) ##### [Refinancing](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/tag/refinance) ##### [First-Time Buyer](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/tag/1str-time) ##### [Borrowing 101](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/tag/101) [![Down Payment](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Do%20You%20Really%20Need%20to%20Save%2020%25%20for%20a%20Home%20Down%20Payment.jpg?width=527&name=Do%20You%20Really%20Need%20to%20Save%2020%25%20for%20a%20Home%20Down%20Payment.jpg)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/do-you-really-need-to-save-20-for-a-home-down-payment) ## [Do You Really Need to Save 20% for a Home Down Payment?](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/do-you-really-need-to-save-20-for-a-home-down-payment) by [HomeLend](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/author/homelend) on [Dec 05](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/archive/2024/12/05) For many, the idea of saving a 20% down payment feels like a major hurdle to homeownership. While putting 20% down on a home has its advantages, it’s no\[…\] [Read more](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/do-you-really-need-to-save-20-for-a-home-down-payment) [![Home Inspection Process](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Home%20Inspection%20Process%20A%20First-Time%20Homebuyer%E2%80%99s%20Guide.jpg?width=527&name=The%20Home%20Inspection%20Process%20A%20First-Time%20Homebuyer%E2%80%99s%20Guide.jpg)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/the-home-inspection-process-a-first-time-homebuyers-guide) ## [The Home Inspection Process: A First-Time Homebuyer’s Guide](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/the-home-inspection-process-a-first-time-homebuyers-guide) by [HomeLend](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/author/homelend) on [Sep 19](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/archive/2024/09/19) Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you’ll make, and ensuring the property is in good condition is key to making a sound decision. For\[…\] [Read more](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/the-home-inspection-process-a-first-time-homebuyers-guide) [![Understanding the Closing Disclosure](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Homelend_ClosingDisclosure_Blog%20(3).png?width=527&name=Homelend_ClosingDisclosure_Blog%20(3).png)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/understanding-the-closing-disclosure) ## [Understanding the Closing Disclosure](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/understanding-the-closing-disclosure) by [Sara Livecchi](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/author/sara-livecchi) on [Jul 09](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/archive/2020/07/09) A closing disclosure is a five-page document that contains all the finalized details regarding your loan. [Read more](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/understanding-the-closing-disclosure) [![Man with glasses wearing flannel shirt in center of image and woman with long brown hair and a white top to the right both looking at an iPad held by a man in a suit](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/ProsConsRealtor.png?width=527&name=ProsConsRealtor.png)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/pros-and-cons-of-using-a-realtor) ## [Pros and Cons of Using a Realtor](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/pros-and-cons-of-using-a-realtor) by [Sara Livecchi](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/author/sara-livecchi) on [Mar 11](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/archive/2020/03/11) When it’s time to search for your new home, one important question you’re going to ask yourself is, “should I use a real estate agent?”  [Read more](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/pros-and-cons-of-using-a-realtor) [![Brown cardboard box on the right of the page with a black dachshund puppy poking out from inside.](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/erda-estremera-sxNt9g77PE0-unsplash.jpg?width=527&name=erda-estremera-sxNt9g77PE0-unsplash.jpg)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2020/02/the-first-big-move) ## [The First Big Move](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2020/02/the-first-big-move) by [Sara Livecchi](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/author/sara-livecchi) on [Feb 04](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/archive/2020/02/04) With student loans, underemployment, and high rent costs, it makes sense that young adults would want to prioritize saving money. [Read more](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2020/02/the-first-big-move) [![](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_1160497384.jpg?width=527&name=shutterstock_1160497384.jpg)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/12/debt-to-income-2) ## [Debt-To-Income](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/12/debt-to-income-2) by [Sara Livecchi](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/author/sara-livecchi) on [Dec 24](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/archive/2019/12/24) During the loan application process, you may discuss your debt-to-income ratio and how it impacts your ability to qualify for a loan.  [Read more](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/12/debt-to-income-2) [![](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_657540961.jpg?width=527&name=shutterstock_657540961.jpg)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/12/your-final-walk-through-to-do-list) ## [Your Final Walk-Through To-Do List](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/12/your-final-walk-through-to-do-list) by [Sara Livecchi](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/author/sara-livecchi) on [Dec 06](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/archive/2019/12/06) Now that your closing is just days away, you're finally ready to start calling your new place home.  [Read more](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/12/your-final-walk-through-to-do-list) [![](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_1105754873.jpg?width=527&name=shutterstock_1105754873.jpg)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/12/7-things-to-ask-your-agent) ## [7 Things to Ask Your Agent](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/12/7-things-to-ask-your-agent) by [Sara Livecchi](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/author/sara-livecchi) on [Dec 06](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/archive/2019/12/06) It's natural to be excited about finding a great property, but don't submit that bid just yet. [Read more](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/12/7-things-to-ask-your-agent) [![](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_1094365007.jpg?width=527&name=shutterstock_1094365007.jpg)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/12/what-happens-during-a-home-inspection) ## [What Happens During a Home Inspection?](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/12/what-happens-during-a-home-inspection) by [Sara Livecchi](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/author/sara-livecchi) on [Dec 06](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/archive/2019/12/06) The homebuying process looks something like this: Get pre-approved for a mortgage, find your dream home and win the bidding war.  [Read more](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/12/what-happens-during-a-home-inspection) [![](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_389059606.jpg?width=527&name=shutterstock_389059606.jpg)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/12/a-house-is-possible-even-if-you-have-student-debt) ## [A House is Possible, Even if You Have Student Debt](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/12/a-house-is-possible-even-if-you-have-student-debt) by [Sara Livecchi](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/author/sara-livecchi) on [Dec 06](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/archive/2019/12/06) Student loan debts may be at all-time highs, but Americans aren't letting that stop them from buying a home.  [Read more](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/12/a-house-is-possible-even-if-you-have-student-debt) [All posts](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/all) [Next](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/tag/1str-time/page/2) ## Get a FREE rate quote in minutes! 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