BUYING YOUR FIRST HOME? THESE TIPS WILL SAVE YOU

Buying your first home is exciting — but it can also feel overwhelming and expensive. With the right preparation, you can avoid stress, bad surprises, and costly mistakes.

Here’s what every first-time buyer should prepare before shopping 👇

1️⃣ Understand your credit history

Lenders will look closely at your credit behaviour to decide whether they can approve you.

✔️ how many credit accounts you have

✔️ whether you pay bills on time

✔️ how much debt you currently owe

Your credit report lists your personal information and borrowing history. Knowing what’s on it early protects you from surprises later.

2️⃣ Check your credit report and avoid multiple pulls

Your credit report shows lenders everything they need to determine your risk level.

✔️ name, address, and identification

✔️ current credit accounts

✔️ payment history

✔️ total debt owing

Only let your credit be pulled once when you’re getting ready to buy. Multiple checks by different lenders can lower your score unnecessarily.

3️⃣ Confirm your employment history

Stable income is essential for mortgage approval, especially for first-time buyers.

✔️ two years of employment history

✔️ consistent hours or salary

✔️ explanations for any gaps

Collecting employment documents early makes the mortgage process easier and faster.

4️⃣ Prepare your down payment properly

Lenders must see where your down payment came from.

✔️ 90-day history of the funds

✔️ no unexplained transfers

✔️ minimal account movement

✔️ gift letters for family contributions

Avoid moving money between accounts — it creates extra documentation the lender must verify.

5️⃣ Make a realistic wish list

Think about your life not just today, but years from now.

✔️ size and layout

✔️ future family plans

✔️ renovation needs

✔️ long-term maintenance

Choosing based on lifestyle, not just appearance, keeps you happy in the long run.

6️⃣ Work with a mortgage broker

A broker helps first-time buyers access better options than going bank-to-bank yourself.

✔️ one application, multiple lenders

✔️ guidance on credit and income requirements

✔️ comparison of rates and products

This gives you more approval paths and avoids unnecessary credit pulls.

7️⃣ Choose a reliable realtor

A good realtor protects you from overpaying and missing important details.

✔️ check their website and online presence

✔️ confirm their licence is active

✔️ read client reviews

✔️ look at their current listings

✔️ send questions to test responsiveness

You want someone knowledgeable, communicative, and genuinely invested in your success.

💬 Final Thought

Buying your first home doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right preparation, strong credit, a solid down payment plan, and a trusted team, you can move forward confidently.

If you want help preparing for your first purchase, message The Frontline Mortgage Group and we’ll walk you through everything step-by-step.