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Foundations of Home Buying

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First Time Homebuyer Course

Starting the journey to homeownership can feel daunting. However, if you take it one step at a time, you’ll find yourself at your dream home before you know it. In fact, our first-time homebuyer course, Foundations of Homebuying (see details below), will help you evaluate your personal situation and, more importantly, ensure you start your journey in the right direction.

So, why wait? Until you take that first step, you’ll never know what’s possible.

"Buying real estate is not only the best way, the quickest way, the safest way, but the only way to become wealthy"

The Benefits of Homeownership

Owning a home offers more than just a place to live—it provides stability, security, and the freedom to create a space that’s truly your own.

Additionally, it comes with financial perks, such as:

  • Predictable monthly payments,
  • Tax benefits, and
  • The opportunity to build equity, which acts as a built-in savings plan.

Be sure to explore our Q&A section at the bottom of this page which covers a wide range of questions about purchasing your first home.

If you’re ready to stop paying into someone else’s mortgage and instead start investing in your own future, click “Get Started Now” and let’s begin planning your path to homeownership today.

A group of people standing in front of a window.
Peter B.
Peter B.
Happy Buyer
"We absolutely loved our experience with Brandon and Suzette! The process was so easy and simple on our end...All through the process, we felt very taken care of and felt like we were their priority."
Trent S.
Trent S.
Happy Buyer
"Brandon and Suzette were top notch realtors from start to finish. This was our first home purchase, and they were very helpful, informative and thorough throughout the entire process. We highly recommend the two of them. Thank you Brandon and Suzette 🙌!"
A woman sitting on the floor in front of a laptop.

Avoid the Biggest Obstacle by Starting With Our First Time Homebuyer Course

The biggest challenge first-time buyers face is navigating the home buying journey alone. Many miss out on great opportunities, wasting time at open houses only to see homes go under contract before they can act. Others struggle with scheduling viewings with listing agents, who don’t represent the buyer’s best interests, and often feel uncertain about making offers or what steps to take next. Most end up spinning their wheels for months.

Our first time home buyer course eliminates these obstacles with a clear, structured path to homeownership. We help clients avoid costly mistakes and wasted time, ensuring a smooth, successful transition to their new home.

60 Days to Your New Home

Six Steps to Home Ownership

On average, with a proven plan in place, this is the timeline our clients experience from start to homeownership. Curious about what it entails? Let us walk you through it.

To begin with, we’ve broken the process down into six key steps, each designed to guide you seamlessly toward owning your new home. It all starts with our Foundations of Homebuying course, specifically tailored for first-time buyers. This foundational course sets the stage for everything that follows, preparing you to move through each step with confidence. By following the process in order, you’ll save time and, more importantly, avoid the common mistakes that can trip up new buyers.

Sign up for our free video lesson series! (Coming soon)

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Step 1

Foundations of Home Buying (Tap to learn more)

Foundations of Home Buying

No one likes unpleasant surprises, especially when it comes to finances. Our first time homebuyer course, Foundations of Home Buying, focuses on the home buying process from start to finish. All of this is designed to help you feel comfortable and confident in moving forward or alternatively help you devise a plan and know what to focus on to be ready in the future.

Step 2

House Hunting Essentials(Tap to learn more)

House Hunting Essentials

In this step, you'll start touring homes and learn to spot key features that affect both your living experience and the home's resale value. You'll also gain the ability to identify potential issues that could be costly to repair or maintain if overlooked. By the end, you'll be skilled at comparing homes effectively, helping you find the perfect fit with confidence.
A real estate purchase contract with pen and paper

Step 3

Crafting and Negotiating Your Offer(Tap to learn more)

Crafting and Negotiating Your Offer

After finding the right home, we'll conduct a market analysis to ensure it's priced right, then guide you through writing a strong offer and negotiating confidently to secure the best deal.

Step 4

Reality Check(Tap to learn more)

Reality Check

In this step, we'll guide you through due diligence, including inspections, reviewing disclosures, researching the area, and checking CCRs to protect you from surprises and ensure the home meets your expectations.
A group of people standing around each other.

Step 5

The Home Stretch(Tap to learn more)

The Home Stretch

As you near closing, your lender will guide you through final underwriting, and we'll provide a move-in checklist. You'll also learn the financial do's and don'ts to avoid delays and reduce stress for a smoother move.

Step 6

Welcome Home(Tap to learn more)

Welcome Home

In this final step, you'll complete settlement and close on your home. We'll provide a post-close checklist to help with key tasks, such as reviewing your inspection report, contacting your warranty provider, and setting yourself up for long-term success.
A man sitting in front of boxes with family pictures on them.

What's Holding You Back?

"Self-doubt will kill more dreams than failure ever will."

Most potential homeowners are held back by their own doubts, often influenced by the opinions of parents, friends, and the media. However, people are buying homes and building wealth every day.

Ultimately, only you can truly know when the time is right for you. That’s why we’ll equip you with the tools and knowledge to make that decision confidently.

Imagine the possibilities:

  • Feel the sense of accomplishment and security when you unlock the door to your new home.
  • Enjoy the freedom to personalize your space and make it truly yours.
  • Build equity with every payment, turning your home into a valuable asset.
  • Create lasting memories in a place that reflects your style and needs.
  • Invest in your future, happiness, and financial well-being with a decision that brings long-term benefits.

Your dream home is closer than you think, so make it a reality! Click “Get Started Now,” and start your journey in the right direction.

A man sitting in front of boxes with family pictures on them.
Peter B.
Peter B.
Happy Buyer
"We absolutely loved our experience with Brandon and Suzette! The process was so easy and simple on our end...All through the process, we felt very taken care of and felt like we were their priority."
Trent S.
Trent S.
Happy Buyer
"Brandon and Suzette were top notch realtors from start to finish. This was our first home purchase, and they were very helpful, informative and thorough throughout the entire process. We highly recommend the two of them. Thank you Brandon and Suzette 🙌!"

Top First Time Homebuyer Q&A

A: Using an experienced realtor offers expert market knowledge, access to all available homes for sale on the multiple listing service (MLS), and strong negotiation skills to help you secure the best price and terms. We guide our clients through every step, from paperwork to inspections, and connect you with trusted professionals, making the home buying process efficient and stress-free.

A: As first-time home buyers, you have several loan programs to consider, such as FHA loans, VA loans (if eligible), Utah Housing, and conventional loans with lower down payment options. These programs are generally available nationwide (with the exception of Utah Housing) and not specific to Bountiful. However, you may also find area-specific grants or assistance programs offered by a specific county or city itself, which can help reduce your down payment or closing costs. It’s a good idea to check with local lenders to see if you qualify for any of these additional resources.

A: Begin with our first time homebuyer course, Foundations of Homebuying. In the course, you’ll learn the the first steps to assess your financial situation by calculating your income, savings, and current debts. You’ll want to establish a budget that reflects what you can comfortably afford in Layton’s housing market. Next, review your credit score, as this will impact the type of loan and interest rates you’re eligible for. There are also first-time home buyer programs that can help, such as FHA or Utah Housing loans, which offer more lenient down payment and credit score requirements. Utah offers statewide assistance programs for first-time buyers. You’ll learn all about this and more, in the first time homebuyer course.

A: When buying a home it’s important to consider not only the down payment but also closing costs, which include lender fees, title insurance, and taxes. You’ll also want to factor in the cost of a home inspection, appraisal, and homeowners insurance.  Also there may be potential maintenance or repair costs, especially in older homes that will need to be addressed once you move into the home.

A: Traditionally, a seller would often advertise a Buyer Brokerage Commission on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) which would usually cover the buyer’s agent fee. This fee would be paid to the Buyer’s agent’s Brokerage from the Seller’s proceeds of the sale. However, recent changes have made it the buyer’s responsibility to pay this fee, which on average typically ranges between 2% to 3% of the purchase price. That said, with over 15 years of experience, we’ve successfully negotiated in most all transactions for the seller to cover all or a significant portion of this fee. It’s a point we can discuss further during the First-time homebuyer course, Foundations of Homebuying, as every transaction is unique and negotiable based on the circumstances.

Not finding the answer to your first time homebuyer questions? Submit your question here, and we’ll post the answer!

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