Buyer Guide
First-time home buyer guide for LA & Orange County
Buying your first home in Southern California feels daunting. Here’s the honest, step-by-step version — what to save, what to expect, and where buyers get tripped up.
What can you actually afford?
Start with your monthly budget, not the purchase price. Lenders look at your debt-to-income ratio, and in high-cost markets like LA and OC that ceiling matters more than the sticker price.
Get pre-approved before you shop. It tells you your real range and makes your offer credible in a competitive market.
How much down payment do you need?
You don’t always need 20%. Many first-time buyers use 3–5% conventional loans or FHA financing, and California has down-payment assistance programs worth asking about.
Budget for closing costs (roughly 2–5%) and a cushion for moving and immediate repairs.
The buying steps, in order
Pre-approval
Home search
Make an offer
Open escrow
Inspections & appraisal
Remove contingencies
Final walkthrough
Close and get keys
A good agent runs this process for you and flags risks early — that’s where Moovden earns its keep for first-time buyers.