The First-Time Home Buyer Playbook: How to Position Yourself to Buy in 2026
A step-by-step, no-hype roadmap to help aspiring homeowners understand what it actually takes to buy in 2026: financially, strategically, and confidently.
Register FreeWhy This Series Exists
By the end of this session, you'll know whether buying a home in 2026 is realistic for you, what you need to work on next if it's not, and how to avoid the most common first-time buyer mistakes.
What You'll Actually Learn
Practical guidance that helps you understand where you stand and what comes next.
Am I Even Ready?
What actually qualifies you to buy—income, credit, cash—in plain English. Why 20% down is a myth. What lenders really look at vs. what you think they look at. Why being denied once is common and not a failure.
What Does This Really Cost?
The full cost of ownership: mortgage + taxes + insurance + maintenance. Closing costs demystified (what's normal vs. negotiable). The difference between being approved and being comfortable.
How Your Credit Impacts Everything
What credit score you actually need (spoiler: probably not what you think). How to check your credit without hurting it. Practical steps to improve your score before you apply. Why credit matters more than your income sometimes.
How Do I Not Make a Bad Decision?
Why trying to "time the market" backfires for first-time buyers. The real math behind "date the rate, marry the house." How to evaluate a home beyond listing photos. The difference between compromise and regret.
Down Payment & Closing Cost Reality
How much first-time buyers actually put down (9% is the median). Where the money comes from: savings, gifts, assets. What closing costs really are and which ones are negotiable. Down payment assistance programs you might qualify for.
What's My Next Move?
What to work on if you're buying in 3–6 months vs. 9–18 months. How to build a "buy box" that doesn't paralyze you. Who should be on your advisory team—and why order matters. How education gives you leverage in competitive markets.
This Playbook Is For You If...
- You want to buy a home, but you're not sure if you actually qualify — or what's holding you back.
- You've Googled "first-time home buyer requirements" and still don't know whether buying makes sense for you.
- You're worried about making an expensive mistake or buying at the wrong time.
- You don't know how much you really need saved — or what "affordable" actually looks like once everything is included.
- You feel stuck between wanting to move forward and not wanting to rush into something you'll regret.
- You want real answers from people who do this every day — not generic checklists or algorithm-driven advice.
- You'd rather understand your options clearly than be pushed into a decision before you're ready.
The Bottom Line:
This session is for renters and aspiring homeowners who want to understand what it really takes to buy—not just what TikTok or Zillow says. If you're serious about buying in Rockwall County but need financial clarity, this cuts through the noise.
Who's Teaching This?
Jennifer Templeton
Real Estate Broker Associate | First-Time Buyer Specialist | "Real Estate Unpacked" Podcast Host | Licensed since 2006
Jennifer Templeton is a Broker Associate with Keller Williams Rockwall and brings nearly two decades of experience helping buyers and sellers navigate real estate decisions with confidence.
Her focus is not just on transactions, but on education. Jennifer is known for her ability to take complex real estate and financial concepts — mortgages, market cycles, affordability, risk — and explain them in clear, practical terms that people can actually use.
She believes real estate should not feel inaccessible or intimidating, and that understanding the rules of the market is one of the most powerful tools a buyer can have. Through her work, she aims to level the playing field by giving people honest information, real context, and a clear framework for making smart decisions — whether they're ready to buy now or planning for the future.
Jennifer's approach is straightforward, data-driven, and focused on helping people move forward with clarity instead of pressure.
Sherri Crayne
Senior Loan Officer · Highlands Residential Mortgage, NMLS #204992
Sherri Crayne is a seasoned mortgage professional with deep roots in real estate and decades of experience helping buyers make sense of the financing side of home ownership. After beginning her career as a real estate agent in the mid-1980s, Sherri transitioned to the mortgage side of the business in 1999 and has been focused on guiding borrowers ever since — specializing in first-time homebuyers, conventional, FHA, VA, and investment property loans.
Sherri's approach is grounded in communication, clarity, and personalized guidance. Her clients consistently praise her responsiveness and ability to break down complex mortgage concepts into simple, actionable insight so buyers feel confident — not overwhelmed — throughout the loan process.
At Highlands Residential Mortgage, Sherri helps aspiring homeowners understand their loan options, navigate requirements, and develop a clear path to qualification — because making sense of financing is one of the most important parts of buying a home.
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Join the 2026 Real Estate Playbook Speaker Series
Ready to Get Clear on Your Path to Homeownership?
Buying readiness isn't a yes/no question. It's a positioning problem. Let's solve it together.
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