First-Time Home Buyer Agent in Colorado Springs

Buying your first home is a big commitment, and you don't know what you don't know. That's normal. My job is to explain each step before you take it, answer every question along the way, and help you buy a home that fits your life and your finances. Information is power, and the more you understand, the more confident you'll feel about the decision.

It starts with your goals, not the house

Most first-time buyers want the pride of owning their own home. The fear comes from everything that's new: the money, the paperwork, and a commitment you've never made before. What helps most is working in a clear order. I call it the Life → Wealth → Real Estate™ method:

1. Life: what you want your life to look like over the next several years.
2. Wealth: whether buying now fits your finances and your long-term goals.
3. Real estate: the home that supports both.

Once we know your goals, they guide every decision. If a home starts pulling you off track, I'll remind you what you told me mattered. You may still choose it, and that's fine, as long as it's a purposeful decision.

How I help first-time home buyers, step by step

There are a lot of steps, and seeing them all at once can feel overwhelming. I start with a general overview, then go deeper on whatever you want to understand at each step.

1. The first conversation

We talk about your goals, your timeline, and whether you're ready. Before buying, it helps to have a stable income, an emergency fund, and a plan to keep the home for about five years. Just because you can buy doesn't mean you should, and sometimes renting a while longer is the better call. See whether to rent or buy in Colorado Springs.

2. The lender and your true monthly payment

I'll give you three lenders to talk with, and you choose. A pre-approval shows what you can borrow. We also work out the full monthly payment you're comfortable with, including property taxes, insurance, HOA dues, and any metro district. Your lender can also tell you whether you qualify for down payment help, such as programs from the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) or El Paso County. See how much house you can realistically afford.

3. Touring homes

Seeing several homes, often around eight to 10, helps you learn what you like and what you don't. I show you everything about a home, the good and the not-so-good, because my perspective isn't yours. When you can't be there in person, I film detailed video walkthroughs.

4. Writing the offer

I build your offer from what comparable homes actually sold for, and we talk through the terms and the contract together before you sign. You'll know what every deadline means and what your earnest money does.

5. Under contract

This is where the contract's protections come in (more on those below). You'll schedule an inspection, review any HOA documents, get an insurance quote, and wait for the appraisal and your loan approval.

6. Closing

The title company prepares the closing, and you do a final walkthrough of the home. Before you send any money, call the title company at a number you've confirmed yourself, because wire fraud targets home buyers. See how long it takes to close.

What first-time buyers in Colorado Springs should know

Two homes at the same price can cost very different amounts each month

Property taxes, metro district taxes, HOA dues, and homeowners insurance vary a lot from one Colorado Springs home to the next. Hail drives much of the cost of insurance here. That's why I look at the full monthly payment for each home, not just the price. See what a metro district is and why insurance varies between houses.

You may need less down than you think, and more cash than the down payment

Conventional loans can start at 3% down, FHA loans at 3.5%, and VA loans at 0% for eligible buyers. You'll also want cash for closing costs, earnest money, the inspection, and a cushion after you move in. See how much cash you need to buy a home and how FHA, conventional, and VA loans compare.

Down payment help is available, with conditions

CHFA and El Paso County each offer down payment assistance. These programs come with requirements such as income limits, credit standards, and a homebuyer education class. Your lender confirms whether you qualify. I make sure the offer and the timeline account for the program you use.

The Colorado contract gives you checkpoints

You don't need to know everything before you make an offer. The Colorado purchase contract has deadlines built in that let you decide whether to move forward based on what you learn about the home. You can end the contract by the inspection deadline, the HOA documents deadline, or the insurance deadline if something you find isn't acceptable to you. Those are your decisions to make. The contract also includes deadlines for the appraisal and your loan.

Knowing those protections are there is what lets you take the process one step at a time. Colorado doesn't license home inspectors, so I recommend an inspector with a proven track record. See who should be on your home buying team.

A real example: a first home, bought from out of state

Addie H. was on active duty, buying her first home in Colorado Springs from out of state, with a VA loan. What she was most nervous about was buying a home she couldn't walk through herself. That takes a lot of trust.

We toured homes by video, and I talked through the pros and cons of each one with her. During the inspection, we found work that had been done without a permit. I worked with the seller to get it handled properly before closing. Because she closed remotely, I went to the house before closing to check that the work was done and sent her detailed videos. She closed on a normal timeline of about 30 days.

"He went out of his way to ensure I was comfortable and ultimately developed a level of trust equivalent to what I share with my family." Addie H.

The professionals I bring in

• Lenders: three options to compare; you're free to choose anyone
• Home inspector: one I recommend, whose work has served my clients well
• Insurance: recommendations, so you can get a quote before your insurance deadline
• Title company: usually chosen by the seller, though that's negotiable

Team Hobbs Realty receives no referral fees from any of these professionals.

Why first-time buyers work with me

• I take the time to explain. No question is too small, and you'll understand each step before you take it.
• I start with your life and your finances. I'm a Certified Financial Coach, and I help you weigh whether a home fits your goals before we look at houses.
• I show you everything about a home, including the things you'd rather not see, so you can decide with the full picture.
• I've done this myself. Kristen and I have bought, sold, and rented out our own homes since 2006, through more than 10 military moves.

More about me · Help for all buyers

First-time home buyer questions: short answers

• What are the steps to buying a first home? Set your goals, get pre-approved, tour homes, make an offer, get through the inspection and appraisal, then close. Read the full answer
• How much house can I afford? Start with the monthly payment you're comfortable with, not the most a lender will approve. Read the full answer
• How much cash do I need? Plan for the down payment, closing costs, money due before closing, and a cushion after you move in. Read the full answer
• What are typical buyer closing costs? They depend on the home and the loan; your lender's Loan Estimate is the number to plan around. Read the full answer
• Do I have to pay my own agent? Not necessarily. The fee is negotiable, and the seller often covers it as part of the deal. Read the full answer
• Should I buy now or wait? If you're ready and the payment works for you, buying now is reasonable; no one can predict rates. Read the full answer

Sources

• Real estate contracts and forms, Colorado Division of Real Estate
• Buying a house: tools and resources for homebuyers, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Let's talk about your first home

If you're thinking about buying your first home, let's start with your goals and your timeline. You'll leave the first conversation knowing what the next steps are, with no pressure to buy.