Here are our best tips for first-time home buyers. It covers everything from deciding whether to buy to being a happy homeowner from a high-level and links to resources to go deeper.

1. HowtoBuyYourFirstHomein
10SimpleSteps
No really, just 10!

2. Buying yourfirst homesoundsconfusing
andcomplicated,right?

3. Buying yourfirst homesoundsconfusing
andcomplicated,right?
Doesn’t havetobe!

4. AtClara,we’reallabout making thingsaseasyand
transparentaspossible.
That’swhywetook thehomebuying processand
boiled itdown to10simplesteps,with linksto
additionalresourcesincaseyou need moreinfo.

5. Followthese10stepstoget thehomeof
yourdreams-and we’reright heretohelp
when you need it!

6. Determine if buying isactually right foryou1
Dependingoncurrent housing
pricesand how long you plan to
stay in yournew home,itcould
makemoresensetorent.Usea Rent
vs.Buycalculatortodothemath.
BUY

7. Seewhatyoucanaffordand
decidewhatyou’rewilling to
spend. Usea HomeAffordability
calculatortodothemath.
Figureout what you can afford2
$???

8. Research neighborhoodsthat
suityourpricerangeandother
wants/needs,likegood public
schools,lowcrimeratesand high
walkscores.Usea toollike
Neighborhood Scout tonarrow
yoursearch.
Find your new locale3

9. What tolook forinagood realtor:
Experience
Geographic expertise
Niche expertise (for example, fixer-uppers)
Communication
Patience
Enthusiasm
Choosea realtor4

10. When youget pre-approved,a lender
checksyourfinancialinfoandcredit
score,thenconditionallyapprovesyou
foraspecific loanamount.Pre-approval
can havebenefitslike:
Confirming your price range
Showing realtors you’re serious
Strengthening your offer
Get pre-approved fora mortgage5

11. Writea letter6
A personallettercan helpsway theseller
when you’recompeting withotheroffers.
Start off with what you like about their home
Share something personal. Can you connect
something you know about them or the
property with something about yourself?
What about them? How will you help them
achieve their dreams?

12. Makea greatoffer7
Submit a strong offer right out of the gate. Lean
on your realtor for his or her expertise here.
Learn the seller’s expectations around price,
timeline and negotiable items like fees and
fixtures. Being accommodating can give you a
huge advantage.
Include your thoughtfully-written personal letter
with the offer.

13. Tax returns (previous 2 years)
Debt statements (12 months)
Asset statements (12 months)
Previous addresses (2 years)
Employment history and paystubs (12 months)
Marriage certificate and/or divorce decree (if applicable)
Valid ID
Yougot pre-approved,but nowyou need to
officiallyapply.Gatherallthenecessary infoand
keepit handyasyou’reshopping forlenders.
Apply fora home loan8

14. Whiletheunderwriterreviewsyour
loanapplicationand thehomeis
appraisedand inspected,it may feel
liketheballisoutofyourcourt.But
don’tcelebrateyet-hiccupscanstill
happenat thispoint.
Prepareforspeed bumps9

15. Closethedeal10
Wire money into escrow as soon as your offer is
accepted.
If necessary, liquidate assets for the remainder
of your down payment. This can take a few days
so don’t wait until the last minute.
Find a moving company and purge your closets
-- selling unwanted items can help you recoup
some of those moving costs.
Whether the Closing is in an office or a mobile
notary comes to you, make sure you have valid
ID and enough time to fully review the closing
documents. If possible (it is with Clara), review
your Closing docs before you’re with the notary
so you don’t feel rushed.

16. At Clara, we’re super-focused on creating a speedy, frustration-free
homebuying process. So if that’s important to you, too, check us
out at Clara.com.
Ofcourse,therearealwaysunexpected
thingsthatcancomeupalong theway.
Findinga mortgagelenderyou trustcan
helpa lotwith that.
Boom! That’s it.

17. Icons made by:
Dinosoft Labs
Made by Made
Jesus Puertas
Gregor Cresnar
IYIKON
il Capitano