First-Time Home Buyers in Erie: Ask Me Anything
Every step explained, every question welcome, and no rush.
Buying your first home
First-time home buyers in Erie tell me the same thing over and over: "I don't even know what I don't know." That's exactly where you should be. Nobody is born knowing what earnest money is or how an inspection works.
Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial steps you'll take. It should feel exciting, not overwhelming. The difference usually comes down to whether someone takes the time to explain things.
How I work with first-time buyers
I'm Carol Vanlandingham, a REALTOR® with eXp Realty in Erie, Colorado. With first-time buyers, I think of myself as a teacher first.
- You can ask anything, as many times as you need. You'll never be made to feel inexperienced.
- I explain each step before it happens, so nothing catches you off guard.
- I tell you what I see in a house. I fixed and flipped homes before I was licensed, and I'll point out the things worth a closer look.
- I won't rush you. If you need to sleep on it, sleep on it.
I got into real estate to help people find a comfortable place to live and make memories. Helping someone buy a first home is still one of my favorite parts of the job.
Your first steps
Here's the order I suggest.
1. Talk with a lender. A lender looks at your income, savings and credit and tells you what you can borrow. I always ask buyers to be pre-approved before we tour. Your lender is also the one to ask about loan types and any down payment help you might qualify for. I have a list of lenders I recommend if you need one.
2. Meet with me. I walk you through the whole process, start to finish, and we talk about what you're looking for. We also go over the buyer agreement together before any showings.
3. Learn what your budget buys. We look at real homes in the towns you like, so your expectations match the market.
4. Tour, compare and decide. When you find the one, I show you what similar homes sold for and help you put together an offer.
Each of these is explained in more detail on my How I Help You Buy page, starting with getting ready.
First homes around Erie and Boulder County
First homes here come in different forms, including condos, townhomes and single-family houses, and prices vary by town. Part of my job is helping you see the tradeoffs, such as a shorter drive against a bigger yard. My areas page lists the towns I work in, and you can start with Erie.
If you'd like to talk, even if buying is a year away, send me a note or call me at (303) 522-3130. An early conversation costs nothing and gives you time to prepare. You can also read my general page on buying a home, see what I do for buyers, or visit the home page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do I need for a down payment?
It depends on the loan, and a lender is the right person to answer that for your situation. They can also tell you about any down payment help you may qualify for. I can share the lenders I recommend.
I've never done this before. Where do I start?
Start with a conversation. I'll walk you through the whole process, and then you'll talk with a lender to learn your budget. After that we look at homes.
What if I have a lot of questions?
Good. Ask all of them. I'd much rather explain something three times than have you feel unsure about a decision this big.
On video
Watch me walk through it
Google reviews
In my clients' words
5.0 from 28 reviews on Google
“Ever bought a house, sight unseen from 1500 miles away?? Well I have, and let me tell you it would never have been possible without the assistance of Carol! Her honesty, organization, communication, diligence and follow up made my relocation to Colorado seamless and smooth. Do not hesitate to have this woman in your corner!”
“Carol was absolutely amazing throughout our journey as first-time home buyers. She was organized, detailed, and thorough every step of the way. She consistently advocated for us, fought for our best interests, and made sure we got what we wanted. Her knowledge, communication, and dedication made the entire process feel smooth and less overwhelming. We are so grateful for her guidance and support. We highly recommend her to anyone looking to buy or sell a home.”
“Carol helped us buy our forever home, and she did it with the perfect combination of professionalism and personalization. She took the time to get to know us and our preferences which allowed her to find the perfect home for us. Her careful strategy won us the first house we put an offer on! Once under contract, Carol remained proactive to ensure that everything went smoothly. She was polite and firm in all the ways that you would want your representation to be. Most importantly, it was obvious that she genuinely cares about her clients which made her even more reliable and trustworthy. Carol has earned her title of our realtor for life.”
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Ready to make your move with Homes by Carol?