Watch
Watch a short introduction to the homebuying process.
Play videoAI-assisted video. Guidance provided by Texas Lone Star Lending.
Buy a Home
Understand what you can afford, what to expect, and how to move forward before you apply.
Whether this is your first home or your next one, this page will help you get oriented.
Start here
A simple way to begin if you're not sure what to do first.
Estimate
Use our payment calculators to estimate a comfortable monthly payment.
Open calculator
Understand
Read a simple guide to learn what happens before and after you apply.
Read guide
Move forward
Ready to take the next step? Start your application here.
ApplyAlso explore
Featured videos
Helpful videos for buyers at different stages of the process.
Plan your payment
Before you choose a home, it helps to understand what monthly payment feels manageable.
Payment calculator
See how you down payment and loan term affect your mortgage payment.
Open calculatorAffordability calculator
See how payment, taxes, insurance, and down payment affect how much home you can afford.
Open calculatorBuy vs. rent calculator
Compare the long-term cost of renting with the potential cost and benefits of buying a home.
Open calculatorExtra payment calculator
See how making extra payments could reduce interest and shorten the life of your mortgage.
Open calculatorCan I qualify?
Answers to common qualification questions about income, credit, and down payment.
Featured qualification topic
Can I qualify with student loans?
Learn how student loans are counted when qualifying for a mortgage, including deferred loans, income-based repayment plans, and differences among conventional, FHA, USDA, and VA guidelines.
More qualification topics
- Can I qualify with limited savings? How much money do I need to close? Learn how down payment, closing costs, prepaid expenses, escrow deposits, insurance, taxes, and prepaid interest combine to determine the total funds needed to close.
- Can I qualify if I'm self-employed? Learn how self-employment income is reviewed for mortgage qualification, including tax returns, income history, business stability, and documentation requirements.
- Can I qualify with credit card debt? Learn how credit card debt affects mortgage qualification, including debt ratios, minimum payments, credit utilization, and options for paying down debt before applying.
More ways we can help
Some loan options are designed around a specific goal or situation. If one of these fits what you're trying to do, visit the page to request details or answer a few questions.
You're eligible for a VA loan
VA loans include benefits many eligible buyers do not fully understand. Request details to learn how VA loan features may make buying a home easier or more flexible.
Request detailsRE agents: You can buy
your own dream home!
Real estate agents often have income that does not fit neatly into traditional mortgage guidelines. This option may help you buy your own home without relying on tax returns to qualify.
Request detailsCan you get down payment assistance in Texas?
Down payment assistance may make buying a home more realistic than you think. Take the quiz to see whether you may qualify.
Take the quizCould a mortgage interest tax credit help you buy more home?
A mortgage interest tax credit may increase your effective qualifying income and help you explore a larger home budget. Take the quiz to see whether it may fit.
Take the quizWorkshops
Learn live and ask questions in a low-pressure setting.
First Time Homebuyers Class
Type: Online
Buying your first home can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to understand how much you can afford, how pre-approval works, what credit issues matter, and how much money you really need to get started. This workshop walks through the homebuying and mortgage process in plain English. We’ll talk about how lenders estimate affordability, what goes into a pre-approval, and the main factors used to qualify for a mortgage, including credit score, credit history, income, debts, and funds available for closing. We’ll also cover down payment options, gift funds, closing costs, mortgage insurance, rate locks, and the differences between common loan programs such as conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, and non-conventional loans. The goal is not to pressure you into buying a home. The goal is to help you understand the process, ask better questions, and make more confident decisions when you are ready. This class is especially helpful for first-time buyers, buyers who are early in the planning process, and real estate agents who want a clearer understanding of how mortgage qualification works.
RegisterFirst Time Homebuyers Class
Type: Online
Buying your first home can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to understand how much you can afford, how pre-approval works, what credit issues matter, and how much money you really need to get started. This workshop walks through the homebuying and mortgage process in plain English. We’ll talk about how lenders estimate affordability, what goes into a pre-approval, and the main factors used to qualify for a mortgage, including credit score, credit history, income, debts, and funds available for closing. We’ll also cover down payment options, gift funds, closing costs, mortgage insurance, rate locks, and the differences between common loan programs such as conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, and non-conventional loans. The goal is not to pressure you into buying a home. The goal is to help you understand the process, ask better questions, and make more confident decisions when you are ready. This class is especially helpful for first-time buyers, buyers who are early in the planning process, and real estate agents who want a clearer understanding of how mortgage qualification works.
RegisterWhat clients say
“Steve is the best... this is the third property he's handled financing on us for. There's nothing that throws him... we wouldn't use anyone else.”
— Marianne and Francois L.
From the kitchen
Because life is not all mortgages. Click on a recipe card to enlarge and print it.
Sheet Pan Chicken
Salmon Bites
Ready to move forward?
When you're ready, the next step is simple.
Have a question? Use the chat icon in the bottom right - we’re here to help.