If you’ve been following along here, you know that the past year has been a lot. A wedding, a honeymoon, and somewhere in between all of that joy and chaos — we bought our first home. I’ve been meaning to write this post for a while, and honestly, I kept putting it off because I wanted to give it enough time to tell the real story. Not just the “we got the keys and cried happy tears” story (though that absolutely happened), but the full picture.
So here we are, six months in. And friend, I have thoughts.
First — Yes, It Was Stressful. Really Stressful.
I’m just going to say it because I feel like not enough people do: buying a home is one of the most overwhelming things I’ve ever done. And I say that as someone who also planned a wedding.
There were moments I questioned everything. Did we pick the right neighborhood? Did we offer too much? What even is an escrow account and why does everyone say that word like I’m supposed to know what it means?
If you’re in the middle of it right now and feeling like you’re drowning in paperwork and mortgage jargon, you’re not alone. That feeling is completely normal, and it does get better.
What First-Time Home Buying Actually Looks Like
Here’s the honest, no-fluff breakdown of what the process looked like for us:
Getting pre-approved first is non-negotiable. We learned quickly that in this market, if you don’t have a pre-approval letter in hand, sellers won’t take you seriously. Getting pre-approved also gave us a realistic budget — which was humbling, but so necessary.
Your first offer probably won’t be your last. We lost out on a house before we got ours. It stung. But looking back, the house we ended up with is so much better for us. Trust the process, even when it’s frustrating.
Read. Everything. I cannot stress this enough. Every document. Every disclosure. Every line of the inspection report. Mortgage companies are there to make money, anyway possible.
Your realtor is your best friend. A good realtor makes an enormous difference. Ours walked us through every step, answered our panicked texts, and talked us off more than one ledge. If you don’t feel like your realtor is in your corner, find a new one. Seriously.
The Surprises Nobody Warned Me About
Six months of actual homeownership has taught me things that no blog post or HGTV show ever could.
Everything costs more than you think. We budgeted for the down payment and closing costs. What we didn’t fully budget for? The things that we would need to buy to make the house a home. A dining room table, accent chairs, and end tables. It’s also smart to build yourself a home maintenance fund — even a small one — before you move in.
You will want to renovate everything immediately. Don’t. Live in the space first. I had ideas for every room before we even moved our furniture in, and six months later, half of those ideas have completely changed based on how we actually live in the house. Give yourself at least a few months before making any big, permanent decisions.
The neighborhood matters more than you think. We did our research, but actually living somewhere is different. Take note of the small things during your house tours — the noise level at different times of day, how walkable it is, and what the neighbors are like. These things become your daily life.
Homeownership is genuinely joyful. For all the stress, there is something so deeply satisfying about a space that is yours. Hanging pictures without asking permission. Painting a wall. Planting something in the yard. It’s the little things that make it feel real.
6 Things I’d Tell My Pre-Homeowner Self
- Get your credit in order early — like, months before you plan to start looking. Even small improvements to your credit score can save you thousands in interest. Credit score basics from myFICO.
- Don’t skip the home inspection. Ever. Even if the market is competitive and you feel pressured to waive it. Just don’t.
- Know the difference between wants and needs. We had a long wish list. We got about 70% of it. That’s a win.
- Ask about the utility costs. We learned the hard way how much city water and sewage costs when it’s not covered in rent!
- Move-in costs are real costs. Boxes, movers, new furniture, cleaning supplies, things you need immediately — budget for all of it.
- Let yourself enjoy it. In the middle of all the stress and paperwork, there are genuine moments of magic. A Sunday morning in your own kitchen. Your first dinner in the new place. Soak those in.
Was It Worth It?
A hundred times yes.
Six months in, I’m sitting in a home that feels like us. It has taken time, a little money we weren’t expecting to spend, and more Google searches than I care to admit. But it’s ours. And there is truly nothing like it.
If you’re on the fence about buying, or you’re in the thick of the process right now, I hope this helped even a little. Drop your questions in the comments — I’m an open book, and I’m happy to share more about what worked for us.
And if you missed my honeymoon post, start here — because this whole beautiful, messy chapter really did begin there.
