First-time homebuyer guide for Southern California
What to expect on your first home purchase, from getting prequalified to closing, with the specifics of buying in Orange County and the Inland Empire.
Where to start
Most first-time buyers need to settle on budget, timing, and goals before they start touring homes. A free consultation with a MUVE agent maps out the path before any listings get pulled up.
Getting prequalified
Lenders verify income, credit, and assets and issue a prequalification letter. Without one in hand, offers are not taken seriously in most California markets, so this step comes before showings.
Down payment expectations
California has several first-time buyer assistance programs worth checking. Standard down payment options range from 3 percent on FHA loans to 20 percent on a conventional loan with no PMI, depending on the buyer's situation.
Closing costs
Beyond the down payment, closing costs typically run 2 to 3 percent of the purchase price in California. Escrow fees, title insurance, lender fees, and prepaid items all show up; MUVE walks through each line before close.
The first year of ownership
Property taxes, HOA fees, and a maintenance budget all become part of monthly life. The first year of ownership is where the habits and the budget settle in.
A free consultation with a MUVE agent is the easiest first step. We will talk through your timeline, your target neighborhoods, and what to do first.
Schedule a buyer consultation →More from MUVE's buyer guides.
How to get prequalified for a mortgage
A prequalification letter is the first real step toward buying. Here is what lenders need, how long it takes, and what the letter actually means in a California offer.
Read →The home-buying timeline, step by step
A realistic look at how long each step of buying a home in Southern California takes, from first consultation through closing day.
Read →Escrow and closing costs in California
Plain-language look at what escrow does, who pays what, and the typical 2 to 3 percent of purchase price that closing costs run in California.
Read →Writing a competitive offer in Southern California
How offer price, contingencies, and terms work together to make an offer that wins, especially in multiple-offer situations.
Read →