Your first home, step by step
Plain answers, one step at a time, and a contractor checking every serious house before you commit.
What buying your first home really takes
If you're a first-time home buyer in Santa Maria, Orcutt, or Lompoc, you might already be telling yourself it's out of reach. Believe it or not, a lot of first-time buyers rule themselves out before they ever ask a lender.
Don't panic. You don't need to know how this works. You need someone to explain it plainly, one step at a time, and to tell you the truth about every house you look at.
How I help first-time buyers
I'm Lisa Bognuda, a REALTOR® with eXp Realty of California and a licensed general contractor.
I start with getting you ready. I'll connect you with licensed lenders I trust, and you pick. A lender can tell you what you can borrow and whether you might qualify for a down payment program. If your credit needs work first, my credit repair guide walks you through it.
I show you every kind of home in your range. Condos, townhomes, single-family homes, and manufactured homes all have a place, and I'll explain the tradeoffs of each.
I look at every serious house as a contractor. A first home is a big stretch for most people. You shouldn't find out about a $15,000 repair after you've moved in. I'll tell you what I see before you're locked in.
What you get, step by step
- A first conversation with no pressure and no dumb questions.
- Lender introductions and my credit repair guide if you need it.
- Our written agreement, the BRBC, explained line by line.
- My buyer guide and a payment calculator, so you know what a home costs each month.
- A search set to your budget, and showings where I explain what you're seeing.
- A contractor's look at every house you're serious about.
- Every step from offer to keys, explained before it happens. See how buying works.
First-time buyers across the towns I serve
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do I need for a down payment?
It depends on the loan, and some buyers qualify for programs that help. A licensed lender can tell you what you'd need. I can connect you with lenders I trust.
What if my credit isn't great?
Talk to a lender anyway. If it needs work, my credit repair guide walks you through improving it, and we can plan for when you'll be ready.
Is a manufactured home a good first home?
It can be. They buy differently from site-built homes, especially in a park. I'll explain the tradeoffs so you can decide.
What will I sign with you?
A Buyer Representation and Broker Compensation Agreement, the BRBC. I'll walk you through every line before you sign.
First-Time Buyers by neighborhood
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Ready to make your move with Lisa Bognuda?