Buying Your First Home in the US

Here's the big picture of buying a home when moving from renting to owning.

Basic steps

1. Check budget and credit, then get mortgage pre-approval
2. Search listings and make an offer with an agent
3. Home inspection and appraisal
4. Closing — costs and signing documents

Down payments are usually 5–20% of the price; under 20% adds PMI (mortgage insurance). First-time buyer assistance programs exist by state and city, so check them. It's important to calculate total cost including property tax, insurance, and HOA fees.