HOME BUYER RESOURCES
Clear Real Estate Guidance, from the best of the best!
Whether you’re buying your first home, selling, upgrading, or refinancing, our world class team helps you understand your options and move with confidence.
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Questions Smart Buyers Ask First
Buying a home comes with a lot of questions and conflicting advice online. Below are some of the most common questions we hear from clients, along with straightforward answers to help you understand the process.
Should I talk to a loan officer or a real estate agent first?
It’s usually best to talk with a loan officer first.
While it’s exciting to start looking at homes, getting pre-approved first helps you understand your true budget and what your monthly payment might look like. It also shows sellers and agents that you’re a serious buyer.
Once you have that clarity, your real estate agent can help you focus on homes that actually fit your numbers.
How much does it actually cost to buy a house?
Most buyers expect the down payment, but there are a few other things involved as well.
Typically, you’ll want to plan for the down payment, closing costs, and sometimes a small amount for inspections or appraisal. The good news is there are many loan programs that keep the upfront costs lower than people expect.
The best way to understand your numbers is to run them based on your exact situation.
How do I know how much house I can afford?
Online calculators can give you a rough idea, but they don’t always account for the full picture.
When we look at affordability, we consider your income, debts, credit profile, and current rates to determine a comfortable monthly payment. From there, we can estimate a price range that makes sense for you.
The goal isn’t just getting approved, it’s making sure the payment fits your lifestyle.
What credit score do I need to buy a house?
Many people assume they need perfect credit, but that’s not actually the case.
Several loan programs allow buyers with credit scores in the mid-600s, and sometimes even lower depending on the situation. Of course, higher scores can help with better rates and loan options.
If your credit needs a little work, we can usually put together a simple plan to help you improve it before applying.
How much down payment should I expect?
It depends on the loan program you use.
Some loans require as little as 3% down, and there are also programs with 3.5% down or options for veterans that require 0% down. Many buyers are surprised to learn they don’t need the traditional 20%.
We’ll go through the options and figure out what makes the most sense for your goals.
How do interest rates affect my payment?
Interest rates play a big role in your monthly payment.
Even a small change in rates can shift your payment or buying power, which is why we always run real scenarios so you can see the difference clearly.
The goal is to understand your options so you can make a smart decision based on timing and your financial comfort.
Which loan program is right for me?
There isn’t one loan that’s “best” for everyone.
The right option depends on things like your credit, down payment, long-term plans, and whether this is your first home or not.
Our job is to walk you through the options and explain the pros and cons so you can choose what fits your situation best.
Should I buy in this market or wait?
This is one of the most common questions buyers ask.
The truth is, the right time to buy is usually when your finances and goals are aligned. Markets go up and down, but what matters most is whether the payment works comfortably for you and whether homeownership fits your long-term plans.
Sometimes waiting makes sense. Sometimes moving forward now makes sense. A quick strategy call usually helps clarify that pretty quickly.
I'm not ready to buy yet. What should I do to prepare?
That’s actually a great place to start.
The best thing you can do is understand your numbers early. That way, you know what to improve, how much to save, and what timeline makes sense.
Even if buying is 6–12 months away, having a plan now can make the process much smoother later.
How long does the mortgage process usually take?
Most home purchases take about 30 days from contract to closing.
The early steps like pre-approval can often happen much faster, sometimes within a day depending on the documentation. From there, the timeline depends on the home search and the contract process.
Our goal is always to keep everything organized so closing feels smooth and predictable.
What’s the best next step if I’m thinking about buying?
The easiest next step is to schedule a quick strategy call.
In about 30 minutes, we can review your numbers, answer your questions, and outline the smartest path forward based on your situation.
Start With the Blueprint
A clear, practical guide to understanding your numbers, preparing your documents, and positioning yourself to buy with confidence.
Your Next Step Starts Here
You’ve done the research. Now let’s personalize it.
We’ll tailor the strategy to your situation and show you what’s realistically possible.
The Wins Speak for Themselves
Every review represents a real family, real goals, and a process handled the right way from day one.
I was originally working with another mortgage company. I sent all my information and documents over to the agent and weeks go by with no response. I called and she did not answer. Long story short, she had never even ran my credit and told me I would be better off waiting 6 months. My real estate agent immediately recommended Ryan and his team at Rate Boss Mortgage. Ryan responded to me right away and I had my approval letter in less than a week. His team works flawlessly together so when my agent was out of the office, his co-worker was able to help me with any questions I had. Aaron Shuck was the absolute best. When things popped up that I didn’t understand from my builder’s sales agent he stepped in and told me he would take care of it so that I could focus on my job. They made the process so simple and painless. I cannot recommend them enough. I am HUGE on customer service and Ryan’s team exceeded my expectations. Just settling in to my new home but when I decide to buy again they will be my first call!
Ryan was awesome to work with. He was always available to answer my questions and educate me when necessary. The best part is that we were able to close sooner than expected. As a first time homebuyer, his insights were invaluable and I would absolutely recommend him to friends and family.
Ryan and his team made my process as a first time homebuyer so streamlined and made everything very easy to understand! Everyone was friendly and helpful when I had questions and it really felt like we were all a team! Definitely recommend for future home purchases!!
Ryan is a life-saver. We were in a pickle with Navy Federal (whom we have used for years) and Ryan came to the rescue with our VA loan. Our realtor referred us to him saying that she always sent clients his way and now we see why! Ryan and his team were always on top of things and taught us a lot about the VA loan process. We are forever grateful and will recommend this company to others!!
Working with Ryan made home buying for my first time home owners simple, easy, and quick. Ryan’s attention to my clients made it easy to do my job as their Realtor and ended with very grateful and satisfied home owners. A lender can make or break the way a home buyer feels about the whole home buying experience and Ryan and his team made it easy and seamless.
Ryan Egle is AMAZING! I was referred to him by my realtor when I was looking to purchase my first home purchase AND it was an out-of-state rental property. I was quite confused about the process and my goals. But Ryan immediately initiated a team meeting with my realtor and me. He broke down the numbers and process , and I felt so confident after that team meeting! Then Ryan just made the process really smooth. All I know is that I wasn’t stressed at all purchasing my first home and my first rental home, and I think that’s a sign that Ryan is great at this job and he also made it look easy. He’s also so approachable. I truly feel like I can just reach out if I have any questions! I’m thankful that I met Ryan, and will definitely reach out to him again if I ever needed help!
Ryan and his team were absolutely amazing to work with! From start to finish, they were incredibly efficient and made the entire process feel seamless. As a realtor I was always kept informed of where we were in the transaction at all times. Communication was top notch, and I appreciated their dedication and professionalism. Highly recommend!
Ryan and his team did a fantastic job throughout the loan application, processing, and closing on the mortgage for my new home. The whole process went smoothly and was completed in a little under a month.
Great experience walking through a complicated purchase with changing dates and items and a volatile market. Ryan and his team made sure we closed in time and got the best rate possible.
I cannot thank Ryan and his team enough for their incredible support throughout my home-buying process! From start to finish, they were professional, responsive, and truly invested in helping me secure my dream home. They walked me through every detail, making what could have been a stressful process feel seamless. The team was always available to answer my questions and kept me updated at every step. Thanks to their hard work, we got our loan approved in just 3 weeks, which is amazing. If you're looking for a knowledgeable and trustworthy team to help with your mortgage needs, I highly recommend them!
I had the pleasure of working with Ryan, and I couldn't be more satisfied with his service. From the moment I referred my client to him, Ryan demonstrated exceptional professionalism, efficiency, and communication skills. He not only secured the best rate for my client but also outperformed all competitors, closing the deal swiftly. I highly recommend Ryan and will refer my clients to him again and again.
What an experience! Ryan made sure I was taken care of in every aspect of this journey! Not one time did he get frustrated with me even when there were some things I may have not understood. He was in constant communication with me, keeping me updated on anything I needed to know the entire process. He made sure I stayed on top of my signatures and that I had all my ducks in a row. Being a first time homeowner was exciting and tedious for me but Ryan made the process much, much smoother. I plan to buy again in a few years and I'm riding with Ryan every time!
— DISCLAIMER —
Ryan Eglé is a Licensed Loan Originator (NMLS 2108154) with Opus Home Loans DBA Rate Boss Mortgage (NMLS 2687614), an Equal Housing Lender at 23033 Grand Circle Blvd, Suite 150A, Katy, TX 77433. Separately, Ryan is affiliated with Trusted Referral Partners (License 995719997), LLC, a licensed Real Estate Brokerage in the state of Louisiana.
Living in America is not a lender, does not issue loan qualifications, and does not extend credit of any kind. This video is only for educational usage. All calculations should be verified independently. This video is not an offer to lend and should not be used directly to make decisions on home offers, purchasing decisions, or loan selections. Not guaranteed to provide accurate results, imply lending terms, qualification amounts, or real estate advice. Seek counsel from a licensed real estate agent, loan originator, financial planner, accountant, and/or attorney for real estate, legal, and/or financial advice. Not affiliated with the VA, FHA, or any other government agency. This video has not been approved by any government agency.
Opus Home Loans DBA Rate Boss Mortgage is an Equal Housing Lender. We fully comply with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) and all other Federal regulations. All applicants applying for credit through Living In America will never be discouraged on on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, military status, marital status, age, or because you get public assistance. All information we request is voluntary, and will be kept confidential. For more information on the ECOA, please visit:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/ecoa.shtm
© Copyright 2026 | Living In America | All rights reserved.
© Copyright 2026 | Living In America | All rights reserved.