What Really Matters When Buying Your First Home (Hint: It’s Not Just Credit)
- Caitlin Glasgow
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
If you’re a first-time buyer, you’ve probably been told one thing over and over again:“You need great credit to buy a home.”
Credit does matter, but it’s not the whole story. In fact, I’ve seen many first-time buyers delay buying simply because they thought they weren’t “ready,” when the real issue had nothing to do with their credit score.
Here are three things that often matter more than your credit score when buying your first home.
1. Your Monthly Comfort Zone
Just because a lender says you can afford a payment doesn’t mean you’ll feel good paying it every month.
Your comfort zone is about real life:
Can you still save money?
Can you enjoy weekends, travel, or hobbies?
Will an unexpected expense cause stress?
The best home purchase is one that fits your lifestyle, not just a calculator. A comfortable payment gives you peace of mind and that matters more than stretching to the max.
2. Your Money Plan (Not Just Your Budget)
Buying a home isn’t only about the down payment. A solid money plan looks at:
Monthly expenses
Emergency savings
Closing costs
What you want your finances to look like after you move in
You don’t need perfection, you need clarity. When you understand where your money is going and what you want it to do for you, the buying process becomes far less stressful and far more empowering. Reminder: closing cost can be something to negotiate, so that way it does not have to come directly out of your pocket.
3. Your Timing (Not the Market’s)
Trying to “time the market” keeps a lot of first-time buyers stuck on the sidelines.
The better question is: Is this the right time for you?
If your job feels stable, your payment feels comfortable, and buying aligns with your life plans, that matters more than interest rate, headlines, or market predictions.
There will always be noise. Confidence comes from making a decision that fits your season of life.
Your credit score is just one piece of the puzzle, not the whole picture. When your monthly comfort, money plan, and timing line up, buying your first home feels less intimidating and a lot more exciting.
And that’s exactly how it should feel. 🏡✨
If you're thinking about buying this year, click the form above! Look forward to connecting with you!
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