Considering Home Ownership?

Education, preparation, and the right team make all the difference. Tackle concerns, make a plan, and move toward your home buying goals with confidence using our Free Buyer’s Plan — your step-by-step roadmap.

“Be a Scout, Be Prepared”
Your Buying Plan from A-Z.

Prefer video? Check out my YouTube home buying series featuring 70+ short videos (in the making) with experts covering finances, lending, legal aspects, inspections, appraisals, the Atlanta market and more HERE.

Featuring:

Financial Planning (coming soon): Thad Gilliam, Owner/Founder Verisail Partners
Mortgage Lending: Jason Conn, Mortgage Lender for over 3o years, Fifth Third Bank
The Realtor’s Role: Tracy Witherspoon, ABR, CNE, CLHMS, Atlanta Native, Luxury Realtor HomeSmart
The Legal Process: Mike Babcock, Closing Attorney for over 25 years, GSH Attorneys
The Home Inspector’s Role (Coming Soon): Amy Hall with BPG and Bobby McDonough with NPI
The Appraiser’s Role: Sharon Washney, Senior Residential Appraiser, DS Murphy
Market Watch (coming Soon): Tracy Witherspoon, Realtor over a decade in the Atlanta area and Atlanta native


City Overviews (Coming Soon): Tracy Witherspoon, Realtor over a decade in the Atlanta area and Atlanta native
What To Do With or Without Your Dog in Atlanta: Tracy Witherspoon and featuring Spock!




Step 1: Understand Your Finances Before Talking to a Lender

• Gather your financial documents (full checklist HERE)
• Pull your FREE credit report (scroll over and click one): TransUnion, Equifax, Experian
• Calculate your Debt-to-Income (DTI): Debt ÷ Gross Income, Free calculator (click on) Bankrate

Aim for a DTI of 36% or less for the best rates and approvals.
43%+ raises red flags.
Around 50% is close to the cutoff.
Above 50%? focus on paying down debt first before contacting a lender.

Use Bankrate’s free DTI and debt pay-down calculators to plan HERE

Finally, review 6–12 months of spending, use bank statements and a simple spreadsheet. NOTE: Lenders don’t factor in everyday lifestyle expenses, so what you’re approved for may feel higher than what you’re comfortable paying. A simple budget helps you decide what truly fits your life.

Step 2: Choose Your Lender Carefully

A great lender puts you first, explains your options clearly, helps you understand your finances, and works to get you the best rate and loan for your situation.

Want to learn how lenders really compete? Check out my fun, educational YouTube series with mortgage expert Jason Conn of Fifth Third Bank. Watch HERE.

Step 3: Get Pre-Approved

This should be a real conversation — not a 5-minute call or a quick online form. A good lender will review your documents, check your credit, understand your full financial picture, and then issue a strong pre-approval letter.

NOTE: You’ll need this letter before touring homes or making an offer — it shows sellers you’re serious and ready to buy.

Step 4: Understand All of the Fees/Costs Involved in the Purchasing Process:

Loan Amount: total amount borrowed from the bank
Down payment: amount of money you committed to pay at closing toward the loan balance
Monthly Payment includes:
Principal: money paid toward the balance
Interest: money paid to lender for the privilege of borrowing
Escrows: property taxes (increases over time, homestead exemption, file once and save money on property taxes, the current seller may have Homestead in place and it can distort your future payment as the Seller may have an exemption lowering their tax burden that you may not qualify for)
Homeowner’s insurance: (varies, shop around)
Home Owner’s Association Fees AKA HOA: (if you live in a community with an HOA, varies by community)
Private Mortgage Insurance AKA PMI: (certain loan terms require it talk to your lender)
Lender Fees: (varies, shop around)
Attorney Fees (varies, shop around)
Closing costs: