Buying your first home, explained in six real steps.

No sales pressure, no jargon. Here's exactly what happens, in order, from your first look through a signed offer.

01 Get preapproved Obtén tu preaprobación

Before we tour a single home, you talk to a lender and find out exactly what you can borrow and what your payment looks like. This isn’t optional. It’s the number that makes every other decision easier.

02 Define what you actually need Define lo que realmente necesitas

We talk through commute, schools, what you need versus what would be nice, and your real budget ceiling. Not the number a lender approved you for, the number you’re comfortable paying every month.

03 Tour and compare Visita y compara

I set up showings, go with you, and we talk honestly about each house: what’s a quick fix and what’s a real problem. You’ll leave every tour with notes, not just a feeling.

04 Make an offer Haz una oferta

I pull comparable sales, walk you through the contract line by line (in English or Spanish), and we build an offer strategy around what actually matters in this market right now.

05 Inspection and negotiation Inspección y negociación

A licensed inspector checks the home top to bottom. If something real turns up, we negotiate repairs, credits, or price. I’ll tell you what’s worth fighting for and what isn’t.

06 Closing Cierre

Final walkthrough, final numbers, signatures at the title company, keys in your hand. I’m with you through every document.

What you'll actually need, separated two ways.

This is an illustrative worksheet with example numbers so you can see the shape of the math. Your real numbers depend on your lender, loan type, and the specific home. Ask Rubie or your lender to run your actual figures before relying on anything here. Example figures as of October 2026. Not financial advice.

Cash needed upfront (example)

  • Down payment (example: 5% of $350,000)$17,500
  • Closing costs (example: 2 to 3%)$7,000 to $10,500
  • Earnest money (credited back at closing)$1,000 to $3,000
  • Inspection fee$350 to $600

Monthly ownership cost (example)

  • Principal & interest (example loan)About $2,100
  • Property taxes (Texas has no state income tax, but local property tax is higher)About $550
  • Homeowner's insuranceAbout $150
  • HOA (if applicable)$0 to $150

Ask about down payment assistance and ITIN loan programs through the Casa Latina team if you don't have a Social Security number. This worksheet doesn't include those program specific numbers because they vary by lender.

Not sure which step you're on? That's normal.

Tell Rubie where you are, just researching, actively saving, or ready to tour, and she'll meet you there, in English or Spanish.

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