First-time home buyer help in Lawrenceville & Gwinnett County, GA Your first home in Gwinnett, step by step
Renting now and wondering if you can buy? Let’s find out together. I’ll explain every part of the process in English or Spanish. No question is too small.
Credit not perfect? Little saved?
That doesn’t rule you out. Here’s what three common options ask for today. A lender can tell you which ones fit you.
FHA loans
580 credit score
FHA loans can allow scores from 580 with 3.5% down.
Gwinnett Homestretch
$10,000 down payment assistance
Up to $10,000 from Gwinnett County. It asks for a credit score above 580 and a homebuyer class, and income limits apply.
Georgia Dream
640 credit score
Georgia’s statewide program gives 5% of the price or $10,000, whichever is less, on homes up to $625,000.
What that looks like in dollars
- A $300,000 home with an FHA loan and 3.5% down: $10,500 down, plus closing costs.
- A $350,000 home with 3.5% down: $12,250 down, plus closing costs, which the CFPB says typically run 2% to 5% of the price.
My math, using the figures above. Your lender gives you your real numbers.
- Score below 580 or no credit history yet? We start there too, with a plan.
- Do you file taxes with an ITIN instead of a Social Security number? Some lenders offer ITIN loans. Read my ITIN guide.
Nurse, teacher, first responder or in the military? Georgia Dream’s PEN option can give 6% of the price or $12,500, whichever is less, toward your down payment.
On a $350,000 home, 6% would be $21,000, so the $12,500 cap applies.
See who qualifies for PENProgram rules change, and your lender or the program confirms what you qualify for. Sources: HUD (FHA) · Gwinnett County (Homestretch) · Georgia DCA (Georgia Dream, terms effective July 8, 2026)
How my service is different
How I help you buy
I explain every step, every number and every document in the language you’re most comfortable with, English or Spanish. This is the plan we follow together.
For buyers
Payment-first buying plan
What’s included
- 01
Payment first, then the price.
We set the monthly payment you’re comfortable with first, then work backward to the price. That’s how you buy a home you can actually live in.
- 02
Instant alerts when a matching home lists.
You hear about new matches right away, and I also look through new listings every morning, so your weekends go to homes worth seeing.
- 03
Video previews before you drive.
Can’t make it today? I’ll walk the home on video and show you what the listing photos leave out: the noise, the light, the neighbors’ yard.
- 04
Offers built on more than price.
I look at recent sales and the seller’s situation, then weigh price, terms, timing and seller credits toward your rate to build a strong offer.
- 05
Every number explained in your language.
Loan estimate, inspection report, closing disclosure. Line by line, in English or Spanish, until it makes sense.
Three things to get ready first
Your credit
Lenders look at your score and history. Pull your free reports, fix errors, pay on time and keep card balances low.
Your savings
Plan for a down payment (often 3% to 5%, sometimes less with down payment assistance), closing costs, and a cushion for moving and repairs.
Your pre-approval
A lender reviews your income, credit and savings and tells you how much you can borrow. Sellers expect it with your offer.
How buying works in Georgia
- 1
Talk with me (and make a plan)
We’ll go over your budget, timeline, neighborhoods and must-haves, and I’ll answer your questions about the process.
- 2
Get pre-approved
Choose a lender and get a pre-approval letter. I can share names of lenders I trust. You’re always free to choose your own.
- 3
Sign a buyer agreement
Before we tour homes, we sign a written agreement that explains how I represent you and states my compensation, which is negotiable. It’s required by current MLS rules, and it protects you. My buyer agreements are short, and if you’re unhappy with my service, you can end yours in writing any time before you’re under contract (before a seller accepts your offer).
- 4
Tour homes
I set up your search, schedule showings and help you see past the paint: layout, condition, location and resale value.
- 5
Make an offer
We decide on price and terms, including your earnest money and the length of your due diligence period.
- 6
Due diligence
Georgia contracts usually include a due diligence period, often 7 to 14 days, to inspect the home and decide whether to move forward.
- 7
Appraisal and final loan approval
The lender orders an appraisal and finishes underwriting. I keep everyone on schedule and keep you updated.
- 8
Closing day
In Georgia, a closing attorney runs the closing. You do a final walk-through, sign, and get your keys.
The money side, in plain words
Down payment
Many loans allow 3% to 3.5% down; some (like VA for eligible veterans) allow 0%. Georgia and Gwinnett County also offer down payment assistance for buyers who qualify.
Earnest money
A good-faith deposit you make with your offer. It goes toward your purchase at closing. The amount is negotiable.
Closing costs
Lender fees, attorney fees, title insurance, prepaid taxes and insurance. Your lender gives you a Loan Estimate with the details. Sellers sometimes agree to help.
Monthly payment
Principal and interest, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and sometimes mortgage insurance or HOA dues. Try the calculator below.
What could your monthly payment be?
Play with the numbers. Then talk to a lender for your real ones.
Estimate a monthly payment
Estimated monthly payment
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- Principal & interest
- …
- Property taxes
- …
- Insurance
- …
- Mortgage insurance (estimate)
- …
- HOA
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- Loan amount
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Estimate for planning only, not a loan offer or approval. Your lender will give you exact numbers, including closing costs and mortgage insurance.
What you can count on from me
- I explain everything in English or Spanish, and put it in writing when it helps.
- I’ll tell you the truth about a house, even when it’s not what you want to hear.
- I answer your questions, including the ones you think are “silly.” They never are.
- I stay with you from the first conversation to the day you get your keys.
Common buyer questions
Do I need 20% down to buy a home?
No. Many first-time buyers use loans with 3% to 3.5% down, and down payment assistance can lower what you bring for buyers who qualify. Putting less than 20% down on a conventional loan usually means paying mortgage insurance. A lender can compare your options.
What credit score do I need?
It depends on the loan. FHA loans can allow scores from 580 with 3.5% down. Georgia Dream asks for 640, and Gwinnett’s Homestretch asks for a credit score above 580. Lenders can ask for more, and a higher score usually means a better rate. My credit guide explains what you can do now to improve yours.
How much does it cost to work with you as a buyer?
The first call (by phone or video, your choice) and your plan are free. There’s nothing to sign until you’re ready to tour homes.
Before we tour, we sign a buyer agreement that states my compensation in writing. It’s negotiable. Often the seller pays some or all of it. If not, we can ask for it in your offer as a seller concession (money the seller agrees to put toward your costs), or it’s paid at closing. You’ll know every cost before you sign.
My buyer agreements are short. If you’re unhappy with my service, you can end the agreement in writing before you go under contract on a home.
Can I buy a home with an ITIN?
It can be possible. Some lenders offer ITIN mortgages for people who file taxes with an ITIN instead of a Social Security number. They usually ask for a larger down payment and two years of tax returns, and terms vary from lender to lender. My ITIN guide explains how these loans work and what to ask.
How long does it take to buy a home?
Once you’re pre-approved, finding a home can take a few weeks to a few months. After your offer is accepted, closing usually takes about 30 to 45 days.
Can you help me in Spanish?
Yes. I explain every step, document and conversation in Spanish. Georgia contracts are written in English, so I’ll walk you through what each part means. For legal advice, I’ll recommend you ask an attorney.
What is the due diligence period?
It’s a set number of days in a Georgia purchase contract when you can inspect the home and, in most cases, decide not to move forward. Deadlines matter. I’ll keep track of every one with you.
Buying · 11 min read
The Gwinnett Home Buyer Roadmap (2026): From Renting to Keys
My step-by-step guide to buying a home in Gwinnett County, Georgia: credit, down payment help, pre-approval, offers, closing, homestead and checklists.
Read the guideBuying · 6 min read
How to Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage, Step by Step
What a pre-approval really means, the documents lenders ask for, how comparing lenders affects your credit, and how to read the Loan Estimate you get.
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Closing Costs in Georgia: What Buyers Pay and When
What Georgia home buyers pay at closing: lender and attorney fees, the intangible tax, prepaid items, seller credits, earnest money and the 3-day rule.
Read the guideReady to take the first step?
Start your free First Home Plan, or send me your questions. I reply myself the same day, evenings and weekends included, in English or Spanish.