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Buyers guide
Short, practical guides and one-minute videos on Your first home in Kansas City
The steps, the timeline and the loan options, explained plainly for first-time buyers on both the Kansas and Missouri sides of the metro.
One-minute video
First home in Kansas City, in one minute
The video needs JavaScript. The written guide below covers the same steps.
Start with your budget, not the listings
The most common first-time mistake is falling for a house before knowing what you can comfortably afford. Work out a monthly payment you are happy with, including taxes, insurance and any HOA dues, then talk to a lender before you start touring.
- Pull your credit report and fix any errors early.
- Set aside money for the down payment, closing costs and a cash cushion for after you move in.
- Ask the lender for a pre-approval letter. Sellers in the metro usually expect one with every offer.
The path from search to keys
- Get pre-approvedA lender reviews income, assets and credit and tells you what you qualify for.
- Pick your side of the state lineKansas and Missouri differ in property tax, school districts and some closing practices. Compare the areas you like on both sides before you narrow down.
- Tour homes and write an offerI help you price the offer from recent nearby sales and set terms that protect you, such as inspection and financing contingencies.
- Inspect and negotiateA licensed inspector checks the roof, foundation, systems and more. We then decide together what to ask the seller to fix or credit.
- Appraisal and final loan approvalThe lender orders an appraisal and finishes underwriting. Avoid new debt or job changes during this stretch.
- Final walk-through and closingCheck the home one last time, sign at the title company and get your keys.
Loan options worth comparing
| Loan | Who it suits | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional | Buyers with steady income and good credit | Lower down payments are possible; mortgage insurance usually applies until you build enough equity. |
| FHA | Buyers rebuilding credit or with smaller savings | More flexible credit guidelines, with mortgage insurance for the life of many loans. |
| VA | Eligible veterans, service members and some spouses | Often no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance. |
| USDA | Buyers in eligible rural and some suburban areas | Location and income limits apply; parts of the outer metro may qualify. |
Program rules, rates and limits change. Your lender can confirm what you qualify for today.
One-minute video
Conventional, FHA, VA or USDA?
The video needs JavaScript. The written guide below covers the same steps.
Questions to ask before you choose a neighborhood
- How long is the commute at the times you actually drive?
- Which school district serves the address, and does that matter to you now or for resale?
- What are the property taxes and any HOA dues on this specific home?
- Is the home in a flood zone, and what would insurance cost?
Ready when you are
Talk through your first purchase
Book a no-pressure consultation and we will map out your budget, timeline and the neighborhoods that fit.