7 Tips for Working with First-Time Homebuyers in 2024

Purchasing a home for the first time ever is a big deal; in fact, there’s a reason it’s considered the transaction of a lifetime. While you may be a confident agent, it’s vital you’re equipped for working with first-time homebuyers. They’re full of questions, concerns, fears, and plenty of aspirations.

First-time homebuyers need an expert like you to navigate them through the process, and you need to be ready to guide them. Here are some of the best ways to do just that.

How to Approach Working with First-Time Homebuyers

When working with first-time homebuyers, remember: that they’re new to this! It’s a big deal for them, not only from an emotional and accomplishment standpoint but also from the perspective of a financial investment. They need your guidance to ensure every step of the buying process is clear, seamless, and stress-free. 

While they may very well have done plenty of research before even connecting with you, you know it’s not the same as actually going through their own unique, real-life transaction. You’re their guiding light through this process, so here are seven tips to keep in mind as you work with first-time homebuyers. 

#1. Help Them Understand the Impact of their Financial Standing

Before they even begin the home search process, buyers should have a solid understanding of where they are currently from a financial perspective. They need to know their credit score and history, what they’ll put towards their down payment and closing costs, and pursue getting pre-qualified, if not pre-approved, for a mortgage loan. Some first-timers may not be aware of these requirements, so be sure to clarify what they need to do to be fully prepared to make their home purchase.

If you have first-time homebuyers who are prepared and clear on their financials, guide them on how it shapes their buying power. For example, they may not need a full 20% down payment, or the amount they were pre-approved for may not line up with their expectations of the type of home they want.

Taking the time to get clear on their financial situation and match it up with the type of purchase they can anticipate will go a long way in setting expectations early on. In turn, the transaction can go much smoother.

This year was fraught with some of the highest interest rates seen in decades, nationwide. Unsurprisingly, this has caused a lot of hesitation with home buyers, especially first-time homebuyers. But be sure to stay on top of what impact interest rates are having on your specific market rather than how it’s affecting the nation as a whole.

Knowing the rates’ impact on home shoppers in your market will help you provide a concise, clear path forward for your first-time buyer clients. It also opens the door for you to inform them of first-time homebuyer-specific programs that can help ease any anxieties or fears about how much home they can afford.

#3. Know Your Market Inside and Out

Going hand in hand with our prior tip is also being sure you know your market inside and out from a buyer’s perspective. How long are homes staying on the market? What are seller contingencies looking like? Are there bidding wars? What types of offers are being accepted? Is it a buyer’s market or a seller’s market?

While we’re confident you’re already miles ahead of knowing these characteristics of your market, it’s still good to call out the importance of keeping your finger on the pulse of what’s happening in real-time. This will prepare you to answer any question or address any concern your first-time home buyers may have. Remember, they don’t have access to market-specific data — and what it all really means — the way you do.

#4. Walk Them Through What the Buying Process Typically Looks Like

Now that your clients are clear on their financial standing and its impact on their buying power, as well as the state of the market they’re purchasing in, you want to be sure you’re being clear and communicative about what the buying process looks like, from start to finish.

They may be underestimating the complexity of purchasing at this time. Or, maybe they’re ultra-stressed when it’s actually a simpler time than normal to purchase. This is all dependent on the market and properties they’re interested in, so be sure to tailor your explanation of the process and set expectations up front.

Remember, you’re the voice and expert to help them understand where they stand and how to get to where they want to go, as well as breaking down each and every step along the way.

#5. Help Translate Their Non-Negotiables and Their Nice-To-Haves

It’s time to get your buyers looking at properties that line up with their needs, wants, and goals. This is also a good time to get clear on your first-time homebuyers’ non-negotiables, as well as their nice-to-haves. First-timers may be ambitious, or they may not be clear on what’s an absolute must versus what isn’t.

Do they really need a pool, or would it be a bonus? Help guide them to the light. Ask thoughtful questions, glean details they’re passionate about, and use their reasons for purchasing to define the properties you share with them.

#6. Over-Communicate Every Step of the Way

Undoubtedly, purchasing your first home can be thrilling, intimidating, and anxiety-inducing. The best way to combat this as an agent? Being over-communicative. The National Association of REALTORS® 2022 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers found 89% of first-time homebuyers ranked an agent’s communication skills as “very important”.

When something changes, or you have an update, call them, then follow-up with a text. Shoot over an email recapping key details. Remind your clients you’re there to answer any questions or address any concerns, day or night. Vocalizing you’re on-hand to help at all times, and delivering timely, consistent updates helps calm even the most frazzled first-timers. It also goes a long way in building trust with your clients, too, allowing you to have a stronger working relationship in the long-run.

#7. Building Connections

Whether its mortgage lenders, title officers, plumbers, housekeepers, or any professional in-between, first-time homebuyers trust your expertise — and they need other experts, too. As you navigate the home buying process with your clients, be sure to tap into your network and make introductions to your first-timers.

They can rest assured that you’re providing them top-notch recommendations, while your network can get a boost from business you send their way.

Meet More First-Time Homebuyers

These tips for working with first-time homebuyers blend your real estate prowess with some healthy reminders of what it’s like to embark on purchasing your first-ever home. By balancing expertise and empathy, you can navigate the buying process with first-timers seamlessly, building an even stronger client base and empowering your reputation as a trusted agent.

To connect with more first-time homebuyers, sign in to your RealEstateAgents.com account today. It’s the first step to getting in touch with active, vetted buyer leads. Don’t wait — get started now!