Blog · First-time buyers
First-time buyer in Virginia? 7 steps from pre-approval to keys
By Sam Rahman, REALTOR® · September 28, 2026
Buying your first home in Northern Virginia can feel like a lot at once: lenders, offers, inspections, closing. The good news is that it always happens in the same order. Here are the seven steps I walk every first-time buyer through.
1. Check your credit and savings
Pull your free credit reports and look for errors. Then add up what you have for a down payment and closing costs. Many buyers put down far less than 20%, and some loans allow little or nothing down.
2. Get pre-approved
A pre-approval is a lender's written estimate of what you can borrow. It is free, it does not lock you in, and sellers in NoVA expect to see one with every offer. Talk to at least two lenders and compare their Loan Estimates.
3. Ask about first-time buyer programs
Virginia Housing offers first-time buyer loans and down payment assistance, and several counties and cities run their own programs. Ask your lender which ones you qualify for. Good places to start:
- Virginia Housing home loans: virginiahousing.com
- VA loans if you have served (see my Military & VA page)
- FHA loans for lower down payments
4. Sign a buyer agreement and start touring
Since August 2024, buyers sign a written agreement with their agent before touring homes. It spells out what I do for you and how I am paid. I will go through every line with you before you sign.
5. Make a strong offer
Your offer includes the price, your earnest money deposit, the closing date and any contingencies such as financing, appraisal and home inspection. In competitive neighborhoods, how you write the offer matters as much as the price.
6. Inspection, appraisal and final loan approval
After your offer is accepted, a home inspector checks the house top to bottom, the lender orders an appraisal, and underwriting finalizes your loan. I help you negotiate repairs or credits if the inspection finds problems.
7. Final walk-through and closing
A day or two before closing, we walk through the home to make sure everything is as agreed. At settlement you sign the paperwork, the funds are transferred, and you get your keys.
Ready to start?
Call or text me at 571-220-9372 or use the form below. I will help you figure out your budget, your loan options and the right neighborhoods for your commute.