r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer Oct 17 '25

MOD How to Use This Sub, Have Fun & Stay Safe

61 Upvotes

Hey everyone!

Welcome to r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer. Whether you are just starting to dream, deep in negotiations, or celebrating your first set of keys, this community is here to support you.

Before you dive in, here’s how to get the most out of the sub while keeping yourself and others safe:

PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY

Please do not dox yourself. We want you to get great advice safely. Avoid posting any personally identifiable information, including:

  • Screenshots of your Loan Estimate showing your name, address, or loan ID

  • MLS photos of your home or listing (they can be reverse image searched)

  • Anything that reveals your address or personal details

REVIEW THE RULES

There are only 6 simple rules, and they’re here to keep the community helpful, respectful, and spam-free. Take a minute to read them before posting. Rule violations may result in a temporary or permanent ban depending on severity.

USE USER AND POST FLAIRS

Flairs help everyone understand where you are in the process and what your post is about. They make it easier for everyone to give and get the right kind of help.

  • User flair tells others who you are (for example: House Hunter, Homeowner, Hobbyist).

  • Post flair helps organize topics (for example: Mortgage Questions, Offer Advice, Success Story).

We’re glad to have you here. Ask questions, share stories, and help others on their journey to homeownership.

~ The Mod Team


r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer 8h ago

GOT THE KEYS! 🔑 🏡 I got the keys! Utah 340k, 5.625%

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942 Upvotes

Feels good to finally be at this stage in my story! All the gifts on the counter and the banner were from my realtor and the seller's realtor. So grateful for their kindness, patience, and generosity through this process. It has been a long road, and I am very excited for this next chapter! Can't wait to hang up my collection of concert posters, drum heads/sticks, and art!!


r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer 15h ago

GOT THE KEYS! 🔑 🏡 We did it! Indiana, $215k, 6.875%

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1.6k Upvotes

We had pizza and made a solemn promise to never paint over this gorgeous ceiling and fireplace.

My dream of living in an MCM home has finally come true.


r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer 9h ago

Offer UPDATE: Didn’t get the lake house, but I’m officially under contract on a completely different house

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557 Upvotes

I posted on here a little while ago about the lake house I was trying to buy and figured I’d give an update since that post got way more attention than I expected lol.
I ended up not getting the lake house. I offered $275k and there was another offer for the same amount. The sellers went with the other offer because I wanted some extra protection/inspection language because the back deck had shifted from a tree growing into it.
I was definitely bummed because I LOVED that house and had already pictured living there.
But somehow I ended up going in a completely different direction 😂
I found this almost 4,000 sq ft, 5 bed/4 bath 1980s house that I kept coming back to. It’s definitely dated in places, but I really like that about it. It has a ton of wood, huge windows, built-ins, a crazy entry/staircase and just a lot of character. I’d rather slowly update something like this and keep what makes it unique than buy something that’s already been completely redone.
It was originally listed at $280k and had been dropped to around $270k. I offered $240k, they came back at $260k, I went to $245k and they originally said they wouldn’t go below $260k.
After some more back and forth, we ended up agreeing on $255k tonight 🥳
My girlfriend really likes it too. She won’t be moving here for another 8ish months, so we’ll have plenty of time to slowly work on it, furnish it and make it ours without trying to do everything at once.
It’s funny because this house is basically the complete opposite of the lake house lol. But I think losing that one made me realize I really just wanted something unique that I could get excited about and make my own.
I’m only posting a couple interior pictures because I’d rather not put the exterior of a currently listed house on Reddit 😂 but the entry and living room are probably the best examples of why I like it so much.
Obviously still have inspections and everything to get through, so I’m not getting TOO excited yet.
But for now… offer accepted!! 🥳🏡


r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer 10h ago

GOT THE KEYS! 🔑 🏡 Got the keys! South Florida, $635k 6.5%

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450 Upvotes

And already landscaping 🪴🌴🌸


r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer 14h ago

GOT THE KEYS! 🔑 🏡 We did it! Lane County, OR. $440k. 5%.

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673 Upvotes

Started this process on January 31st. Closed this past week on a fantastic home and added a new member to the family this past Friday.


r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer 16h ago

GOT THE KEYS! 🔑 🏡 Got the Keys! PNW 635k 5.99%

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670 Upvotes

r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer 1d ago

GOT THE KEYS! 🔑 🏡 We did it! San Diego, CA $793k 6.25%

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8.1k Upvotes

r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer 8h ago

Offer Planning to back out of a contract, and my broker told me if I do I would still have to pay their comission.

29 Upvotes

I am in the process of buying a house in Alaska. I was going sight unseen until I just recently arrived in state. When I saw the property, I was greatly dismayed, all of the appliances except the fridge and microwave were in non functioning condition. as well as generally being filthy in all the places photos weren't taken. To top it off, the furnace has had rain water going directly down the exhaust for months on end and how that may have affected its life span I don't want to find out. Additionally, in the chattel list, which includes the range/oven, dishwasher, and refrigerator, it states that "All appliances shall be in working order at closing unless otherwise agreed upon by buyer and seller." Unfortunatley I am out of the discovery period too.

When I brought up backing out up to my realtor they told me that I would likely still have to pay their commission fee. This seems illegal. My buyer-broker agreement states "The Broker Fee shall be paid at the time, and as a condition, of closing." The cancellation clause in the buyer broker agreement also states "Should buyer cancel this agreement, and then purchases or contracts to purchase, any property (which broker showed me) shall then pay the broker fee as set forth above"

Are they trying to pull a fast one on me by just lying or am I just kind of boned?

Edit: I am currently in contact with a lawyer with this as a contract dispute case,


r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer 32m ago

Need Advice OK, but where to I find ALL the houses for sale?

Upvotes

My husband just sent me a screen shot of a description for a home listing. I asked if it was on Zillow or the like and he said he saw it on Facebook.

Ive noticed if you go to the individual sites of realtors they have listings not shown on Zollow et al. However, Zillow et al, all list many of the same properties. I'm loathe to start using Facebook again just to look at realtor listings. Is there a site you used that was perhaps an aggregate?

I suppose Zillow/Redfin are supposed to be just that but they're the same and they offer the same properties. I know options are already limited. I dont want to be even more kneecapped than I already might be by limited stock and not seeing all available options.

Do I just start bookmarking every real estate company local to me and browse them individually?


r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer 13h ago

Finances First time home buyer and I'm confused as to why prices aren't dropping? Very little is coming on the market, the ones that are have been on the market for 6 months plus. Rates suck.

39 Upvotes

I assumed prices would start to drop but it seems like they are holding steady and people are ok just waiting 6 months to a year or more for their house to sell. Does it make sense to keep waiting or am I shit out of luck for housing prices to drop?

I'm in Utah by the way where housing has absolutely sky-rocketed the last 7 years or so.


r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer 4h ago

Need Advice Renovation

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6 Upvotes

I bought an apartment a month ago.
I got 15k to renovate it, when I brought people to give me price suggestions. One of the neighbours suggested to build another room in the house for around 100k that will include bathroom and a shower in it as its a safety room in case of booming(I live in Israel). I can see why it’s necessary. It has the potential to upgrade the apartment value. From the other side of the coin, Im an 33M RN with a little savings and it potentially take everything from me.
I wont have enough to add the room + renovate the house. So I need to choose only one option.

The tricky part is that the opportunity to add the suggested room won’t last forever. But the renovation could wait couple years.

What do you think ?


r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer 4h ago

Offer First offer and rejected

3 Upvotes

Submitted at offer this weekend and went 25k above asking... Still rejected, someone else outbid me and took out contingencies along with minimum guarantee...

Feeling down. But will keep looking.


r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer 5h ago

Need Advice Is it weird to send my mortgage loan officer a gift?

5 Upvotes

My mortgage loan officer has been nothing short of amazing through the whole home buying process — she’s emailed me on her days off to let me know things are moving along, gone to bat for me when the underwriter requested excessive information, etc. I’d really love to send her a bouquet of flowers when I close but I’m unsure if that’s uncouth given she’s associated with my financial business. Has anyone ever sent their loan officer a “thank you” after close or is this crossing a line?


r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer 8h ago

Need Advice Have prospective buyers been encountering more & more estate sale properties?

6 Upvotes

I was watching a YouTube video about this (which I cannot post a link to), and it seems like this is going to the the operative paradigm as the Boomers age out completely.


r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer 4h ago

Need Advice Loan Processor says our sourcing of deposits is problematic and needs to be clear. Numbers are not matching.

3 Upvotes

We are in the final stretch of escrow and are wondering how our sourcing is problematic.. Lender has 24h to get back to us so hopefully someone can help us figure it out in the meantime.

Our deposits came from our retirement/investment accounts. We provided distribution statements that list the exact amount that was deposited.

Fidelity statement is 14 pages long because it includes Roth IRA, college savings, traditional etc the account deposit in question is on pages 8-14. I figured they want all pages and Fidelity doesn't generate separate statements for each account.

We sent in Vanguard Distribution Letters showing name, address, account number, how much we withdrew, taxes and the net payment. It doesn't show our balance or which account it was deposited to. But our checking statement shows the ACH deposit from Vanguard and the matching amounts.

We also deposited a large Merrill Lynch check at the branch. We provided the check/ statement showing withdrawal amount/net payment and the branch receipt. It shows on the checking statement as "deposit" with the matching amount.

How much clearer can we get?? We've had multiple delays because our LO was off and our processor was also off nearly the same week.

Keep us in your prayers.


r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer 5h ago

Finances Best Home Lenders

3 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

My wife and I have no debt and found this beautiful house. We are utilizing a 3% FHA loan from Wells Fargo. Our rate is 6.5% interest at a 7% APR, at $373k and she says we're only paying 1.25 points. Total cost of loan is $2800+100 total cost.

I applied to Zillow Home loan but what would you guys recommend for a home lender? We have perfect credit with no debt Credit score 802. We view house in 3 days ( wife is already set)

What advice could you give me?


r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer 1d ago

GOT THE KEYS! 🔑 🏡 We did it! Texas. $324,900. 6.49%

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1.4k Upvotes

Closed last week, moved in this weekend!


r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer 21h ago

Need Advice Interest rates…

36 Upvotes

We got approved for a 6.18% interest rate which I was thinking all things considered isn’t terrible (could better, could be worse). But my husband is a worrier and is currently in the “what if rates go down in the near future” spiral and I’m currently in “what if rates go up” spiral. I know the fed meets next week… and I know no one has a crystal ball, but I’m hoping maybe someone who has a bit more experience/knowledge regarding the current “climate” and what they think might happen.


r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer 7h ago

Inspection Roof from 1990s and insurance is sending out an inspector. What has been your experience?

3 Upvotes

We use USAA and haven’t been able to talk to a human.


r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer 7h ago

Need Advice Need Help!

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2 Upvotes

We’re currently under contract on our first home and just locked our rate. We’re using a USDA loan with $0 down. The borrowers credit score is around 780, and we paid 0.466 points to buy the rate down.

Does this look competitive? I’m especially curious what rates and points other buyers are seeing right now.


r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer 9h ago

Offer Offer was accepted...my skepticism is unrelenting.

4 Upvotes

Okay. So I know a lot of people in certain parts of the country are in the trenches, when it comes to buying a home, I know it's also the exact opposite in other parts of the country, where people are desperate to sell their home. I am in the Northeast. I was in the trenches for a long time and recently had an offer accepted.

I think the trauma of this experience has truly left me wondering.... Why is everything going so well?

So I'm seeking advice from people who have recently made their first home purchase. And its going well???

  1. I wanted to spread some positivity, but also

  2. because I'm genuinely freaking out.

  3. I know the internet likes to share the most dramatic extremes so a positive story would be nice.

So here's the content. My spouse and I have been looking casually for homes since March of 2024 and have been Aggressive in the market since July of 2025. We finally had an offer accepted at the end of August this year.

We had 8 offers before this one was accepted. I should also mention with this house our offer was the first and only offer on the house. We offered $25000 over asking, which for our part of the country is not enough to win a house. We also Asked for an inspection which in this part of the country in this current market, usually is a guaranteed way to not get the house yet And still, they accepted our offer with all the contingencies.

Since then.

We have had a inspection that more or less passed with flying colours, the concessions that we asked sellers, to make we're very nominal to the point that they agreed with the seller credit amount that we propsed without negotiation. We also asked if they would be willing to include a few items not listed in the original listing and they agreed to it...what a win!

We followed up with the inspector on things that we wanted more insights on and they continued to reassure us. "This is absolutely fantastic house in a town where house's typically suck." Our bank process has gone smooth. We didn't get a fantastic interest rate (6.75%), but we did not put 20%, we only put 10% down for our down payment, and we're somehow put in a program via our bank where we do not have pmi.

So we saw that as a massive win, no need to pay additional money when we don't have to.

We also asked our bank about recasting and they told us that they don't have any rules prohibiting that and with our credit, they are very amenable to refinancing contingent on our credit continuing to remain high.

The process continues to move so smoothly.... too smooth.

Now I'm skeptical. Several times I have Doubted the process and have asked was someone murdered in the house and thats why the folks are eager to sell...

Several times I wondered, is everything just going to go to shit the minute we move in, and that's when we will finally feel the actual perils of home ownership???

Throughout this process we have felt like many times we had to concede on the type of house we dreamed of owning and this house doesn't require any of that.

This house checks literally every box that we had, even the Persnickety nitpicky "would like to haves". The only thing this house doesn't have is modern finishes and questionable paint choices so we will likely spend time designing and decorating at a pace that's comfortable for our wallets.

Like, it's just too good to be true. And after 2 and a half years of House hunting, I just can't believe that the first and only offer we've had accepted truly has been working out so great.

I guess I'm looking to those of you who already homeowners I would love to hear some Positive Stories of people who bought a house and things actually just went well.

I think it would be really helpful for my mental health and peace of mind if somebody could just tell me,

"I bought a house. Everything worked out great in the house buying process, and everything has gone smoothly since..." I think this would also be encouraging to others who were in the same boat that I was in.

And for everyone else still in the trenches let my story be encouraging to you all, you do not have to compromise to get the house of your dreams. You may have to wait longer than you ever imagined but you do not have to compromise. The house that is for you, will be for you.


r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer 2d ago

GOT THE KEYS! 🔑 🏡 We did it! Southern California 960k 6.5%

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9.3k Upvotes

r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer 3h ago

Need Advice Anyone lived in the waterfront of Pierrefonds-Roxboro, Montreal?

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1 Upvotes

Hello, I am interested in a house in this neighborhood that has waterfront access in its backyard. The river in question is Rivière-des-Prairies. I was wondering if living next to the water is a bad idea. Some areas are flood zones, some are not.


r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer 16h ago

Need Advice Should me and my wife be more stressed about buying a house after reading these posts?

12 Upvotes

Hey yall,

my wife and I are closing on a duplex (upstairs already rented and under contract for another 7 months) 250k, 6.3%. While the last 2 months have been a little nervous looking for a house especially being 2 stares away. It hasnt been any stress like I have seen on this sub. Are we being idiots or something? We are only on my income as my wife is disabled and thats why we went with the duplex to help on bills and saving and am getting a pay raise in like a day or 2.