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Buying your 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 is exciting—it’s a huge milestone and one that can truly change your life. But let’s be real… today’s market has made it a little tougher for first-time buyers to break in.

According to the 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬, first-time buyers have made up less than the historical 40% average for years due to tight inventory, rising home prices and rents, and higher student debt.

But don’t let that discourage you—because there are ways to make homeownership happen.

Here are 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭-𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐛𝐮𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬

𝐓𝐢𝐩 #𝟏: 𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭-𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐛𝐮𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬

Upfront costs can feel overwhelming, but there are programs designed to help. Many offer lower interest rates, down payment assistance, and even help with closing costs.

In Virginia, one of the most common options is the 𝐕𝐇𝐃𝐀 𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐧, which can help qualified buyers cover the 3.5% down payment—making that first step much more attainable.

𝐓𝐢𝐩 #𝟐: 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐬 & 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬

With fewer homes on the market, flexibility is key. Condos and townhomes can be more affordable entry points into homeownership and often include exterior (and sometimes interior) maintenance—saving you time and money.

Just remember to factor HOA fees into your monthly budget, since they do impact loan qualification.

𝐏𝐫𝐨 𝐓𝐢𝐩: 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭

Having the right guide matters—especially the first time around. A knowledgeable local agent will help you explore options, understand programs, and confidently make competitive offers.

The market may be challenging, but with the right strategy, tools, and guidance, 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡.

I’m 𝐀𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐚 𝐋 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐬𝐨𝐧, helping you establish roots in Central Virginia