Your Step-by-Step Guide to Buying Your First Home
Learn the whole journey — from checking your credit to getting the keys — in short, jargon-free lessons written for first-time buyers.
- 10
- Modules
- 101
- Lessons
- 12
- Hours
- 100%
- Free
The Home Buying Journey
Seven stages, from getting ready to your first year as an owner.
Step 1
Prepare
Check your readiness, credit, and savings.
Step 2
Finance
Understand mortgages and buyer programs.
Step 3
Shop
Build your team and find the right home.
Step 4
Offer
Price your offer and negotiate terms.
Step 5
Inspect
Inspection, appraisal, and underwriting.
Step 6
Close
Closing day and getting your keys.
Step 7
Own
Your first year as a homeowner.
Built as a Real Course
Ten modules arranged in the same order you'll experience the buying process, with lessons you can finish on a lunch break.
Education, Not Sales
No lead forms, no lender referrals, no pressure. Just clear, unbiased explanations of how the process really works.
Track Your Progress
Create a free account to check off lessons and pick up exactly where you left off — on any device.
Where are you in your journey?
Choose your current step and we'll guide you to the right place.
What You'll Learn
Every module builds on the last — start at module 1 or jump to what you need.
Getting Ready to Buy
Understand whether homeownership makes sense for you and what you should prepare before beginning.
6 Lessons · 42 min
View moduleCredit & Financial Preparation
Learn how lenders look at your credit and debt, and how to strengthen both before you apply.
10 Lessons · 70 min
View moduleSaving for Your Home
Figure out how much cash you actually need, from down payment to closing costs and moving day.
10 Lessons · 70 min
View moduleUnderstanding Mortgages
Learn how mortgages work and how to compare loan types, rates, and offers with confidence.
15 Lessons · 105 min
View moduleFirst-Time Buyer Programs
Discover the assistance programs and grants that can lower the cash you need up front.
6 Lessons · 42 min
View moduleBuilding Your Home Buying Team
Know who helps you buy a home, what each person does, and how to choose them well.
10 Lessons · 70 min
View moduleKnow Your Numbers Before You Buy
Use our free calculators to plan with confidence.
Home Affordability Calculator
Explore how income, debts, down payment, taxes, insurance and other assumptions can affect an estimated home-buying budget.
Calculate nowMortgage Payment Calculator
Estimate a full monthly housing payment including principal, interest, taxes, insurance, PMI and HOA dues.
Calculate nowDebt-to-Income Ratio Calculator
See an estimated housing ratio and total debt-to-income ratio from the income and monthly debts you enter.
Calculate nowClosing Cost Calculator
Build an itemised estimate of loan costs, title and settlement charges, prepaid expenses and government fees.
Calculate now
Questions First-Time Buyers Ask
Get answers to the most common questions before making big decisions.
Ready to start your home buying journey?
The whole course is free. Create an account to save your progress across devices.