Ready to buy your first home in Alabama? Congratulations! Purchasing a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make, and having a clear plan can make the journey smoother and less stressful. At Edwin Mortgage Team at Edge Home Finance, we specialize in guiding first-time homebuyers across Alabama through every step of the process.

Use this easy-to-follow first-time homebuyer checklist to confidently navigate the path to homeownership.

1. Determine Your Budget

The first step is figuring out how much house you can realistically afford. Setting a budget early will help you avoid falling in love with a home that stretches your finances too far.

  • Factor in your monthly income, current debts, and savings.
  • Consider how much you can comfortably spend on a down payment, closing costs, and monthly mortgage payments.
  • If necessary, take time to improve your credit score or save more for a down payment.

A realistic budget will help set the tone for the rest of your home buying journey.

2. Get Pre-Approved by a Lender

Once you’ve determined your budget, the next step is to get pre-approved. A pre-approval letter shows sellers you’re a serious buyer and sets clear expectations about what you can afford.

  • Meet with a mortgage lenders to compare loan options and rates.
  • Ask about programs like FHA loans, VA loans, USDA loans, and Alabama first-time homebuyer assistance programs.
  • At Edwin Mortgage, we’ll help you explore the best mortgage solutions for your unique needs and guide you through the pre-approval process quickly and easily.

3. Find a Real Estate Professional

While you’re not required to work with a real estate agent, it can be a huge advantage—especially for first-time homebuyers.

A knowledgeable agent can:

  • Provide insight into the Alabama real estate market
  • Negotiate with sellers on your behalf
  • Schedule showings and coordinate inspections
  • Draft and review legal contracts
  • Connect you with trusted inspectors, contractors, and lenders

4. Start Your Home Search

This is the exciting part! Your real estate agent will search for homes that meet your criteria and schedule private showings or open houses.

Pro tip: Don’t feel pressured to make an offer right away. It’s okay to keep searching until you find the perfect home that fits your needs and budget.

5. Make a Purchase Offer

Once you’ve found the right home, your agent will draft a purchase offer to send to the seller.

  • The seller can accept, reject, or counter your offer.
  • Be prepared to negotiate terms, price, and potential concessions.
  • If you can’t reach an agreement, don’t worry—there are plenty of homes on the market.

6. Schedule a Home Inspection

A home inspection is one of the most important steps in the process. It ensures you’re making a sound investment.

  • Hire a licensed inspector to check for any major repairs or safety issues.
  • If serious problems are uncovered, you can request repairs, negotiate the price, or walk away if the contract allows.
  • Your lender may also require an appraisal to verify the home’s value before finalizing the loan.

7. Close on Your New Home

The final step is closing day—when you sign the official documents and receive your keys.

  • Closings typically take place at a title company or attorney’s office.
  • Be sure to review your Closing Disclosure ahead of time so you know the exact amount of cash to bring to closing.

Congratulations! You are now a proud homeowner in Alabama.

Ready to Buy Your First Home?

The Edwin Mortgage Team at Edge Home Finance, located in Oxford, Alabama, proudly serves first-time homebuyers throughout the entire state. From budgeting and pre-approval to closing day, we’ll make the process simple and stress-free. Call us today at 256-371-6811 or visit us at www.edwinmortgage.com to schedule a free consultation and get started on your homeownership journey.