In other words, ask yourself, “What is my budget?” or its close cousin, “How much home can I afford?” Deciding how much you can afford to spend when buying a home for the first time is a critical step in the process. You will want to factor in your total household income, outstanding debt, credit scores, and prospective down payment amount to determine in which State College, Bellefonte, and additional local neighborhoods you can consider house hunting. Using a simple affordability calculator is a good way to know what ballpark figures you’re dealing with.

Additionally, once you know how much you want to spend, set a budget and stick to it. You will experience pressure to spend beyond your limits – a bidding war could tempt you to ignore your budget; lenders may offer generous but excessive loans. But once you’ve “homed in” on that magic number, sticking to it will alleviate the stress of buying a home for the first time, not add to it. A knowledgeable Centre County realtor can help you stay on track, which brings us to tip number three…

A real estate agent is an invaluable resource for the first time home buyer. Your local Realtor’s knowledge – whether you live in Bellefonte, Boalsburg, State College or beyond – will allow you to consider every option available to you and maybe even relax – just a little! Under the guidance of a knowledgeable agent, you will know what you can realistically offer when buying your first home, whether it’s a buyer’s market, or a seller’s market. The difference means being able to consider homes outside of your budget in a buyer's market.

There are many reputable brokerages in the State College area whose agents boast substantial residential real estate expertise. Check out Triple E Homes’ post on Top Local Real Estate Agents to see what our local Centre County Realtors have to offer you as a first time home buyer.

This is the step where you ask yourself not only “What kind of first home do I want?” but also “What kind of first home do I need?” It’s critical to identify both your first time home buyer wish list and your deal breakers before you start scheduling showings. This is also the step that requires the most of you, the first time home buyer and asks that you do a thorough self-examination in order to find the right home fit. How long do you see yourself in this home? Do you see your family growing? Will you consider a townhome in an HOA, where the cost of living might be higher, in exchange for less home maintenance? Is the lack of privacy a trade off you can live with? 

Then there’s the question of where in Central PA do you want to put down your roots. Take care to research the aspects that are most important to you – nearby employers, schools, centers of worship, recreation, and community. There are notable differences among the many neighborhoods in the region. Among the popular spots, the State College PA atmosphere could be described as vibrant and youthful; Bellefonte PA is quiet and quirky. The village of Boalsburg PA is quieter still, with both residential and rural options. 

Don’t forget to take note of the traffic patterns, and whether they will have a negative impact such as noise pollution or a complicated commute. You may even want to search neighborhood crime rates as well as the Megan’s Law database. 

Once you have an idea of what and where, it’s time to decide how you want to shop. Many listing sites will feature virtual home tours that are quite realistic and offer buyers a chance to “walk through” the home as a digital experience. Virtual home tours often ‘split the difference’ between static photos and an in-person showing. However, nothing quite compares to an on-site visit, whether you are attending an open house in Centre County or on a Realtor-guided showing.



Sometimes, you have narrowed down your location but aren’t sure about the available homes. Triple E Homes custom home builder  in Bellefonte PA can help you decide if considering a custom built home is right for you as a first-time home buyer.

Once you have your proverbial ducks in a row – you’ve settled on a budget, lined up an agent, chosen a neighborhood, and outlined what you want as a first time home buyer in Centre County – you’re ready to start shopping. There’s no better way to demonstrate your intent to sellers and agents as a first-time home buyer than getting preapproved for a mortgage. Your mortgage pre-approval is a definitive guide to how much you can reasonably expect to receive on loan and helps you narrow and refine your options. 

As part of the process, you can expect the lender to examine your income, assets, debts, and credit before issuing your pre-approval. You may even seek pre-approval from more than one lender to compare different rates without impacting your credit score, provided that you request them within 30 days of each other. Keep in mind that your pre-approval does expire, so you will need to act with purpose. A pre-approval is usually good anywhere from 60 to 90 days and may be renewed if the circumstances require.

Many first time home buyers will assume that shopping around for a mortgage is the equivalent of opening too many speciality cards. But in most cases, creditors know you are inquiring to purchase one home, and so multiple inquiries into your credit within a 45-day window will be viewed as a single inquiry.

Additionally, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau website offers resources for first time home buyers, and recommends comparing costs, interest rates and associated fees by requesting loan estimates for the same type of mortgage from multiple lenders.

Many states and municipalities offer first-time home buyer programs – a desirable combination of low-interest-rate mortgages with assistance for down payments and closing costs. Tax credits may even be issued as well. The state, er commonwealth, of Pennsylvania is no different in that it offers a myriad of options for first time home buyer assistance. The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) offers mortgages with low fees and interest rates, working with numerous different lenders and brokers. With an assistance program, borrowers make monthly payments directly to PHFA, whose programs include the Keystone Home Loan Program, HFA Preferred Loan and others.

Unless you are in a situation where a delay will cost you the home sale, a thorough home inspection is a must to evaluate the integrity of a home’s structure and systems. The findings of a qualified home inspection by an experienced professional in State College PA and the surrounding areas can provide insights to inform your decision making process when buying a home for the first time. 

Asking your trusted Centre County PA Realtor for help with this step will ensure that it gets done correctly and covers every part of the house, from the basement to the attic. Knowing what’s included in a standard inspection will help you decide if you need additional inspections for factors like pests, mold, and radon. You may even choose to be present during your inspection to gain the most from the process. If you choose not to present, be sure to comb the report and follow up if you have concerns. 

It works best in a buyer's market, but it’s yet another reason to find an experienced Realtor who can walk you through the nuances of negotiating with a home seller. It can feel intimidating for a first-time home buyer to forge ahead with a negotiation, which is why creating a strategy with a Centre County PA real estate agent, who understands the local market, will ensure the best outcome. 

The length of time a home has sat on the market – as well as how many additional offers it’s had – will also factor into your negotiation. The seller of a home on the market for a week is unlikely to strike a deal whereas the owner of a home that has been languishing may be eager to negotiate. Just be sure to get that home inspection!

Homeowners insurance is a must for first-time home buyers in the Centre County area, required by your lender in order to close on your home. Homeowners insurance can usually be bundled with other policies, such as auto and life insurance within the same insurance provider. 

Ultimately, your insurance is a policy to cover costs and provide peace of mind. You will want to purchase a policy that covers the list of possible incidents that may affect your home as well as if you are held responsible for an injury or accident that occurs on or near your home, in the form of liability insurance. At its most basic, home insurance needs to cover the cost to repair, replace, and even rebuild your Central PA home if it should ever be destroyed.

Buying your first home can be stressful. It helps to be prepared and go into the home buying process knowing your stuff. You may even find that a custom home build is the right first home for you. For more information, fill out our contact form to start a conversation today. Triple E Homes can help you understand your home buying options and make your first home buying experience the best first home buying experience.