The First-Time
Buyer Blueprint.
Your clear, step-by-step plan for buying your first home in Louisiana. No jargon, no pressure, just the honest path to your keys.
Free Workbook
No pressure. No commitment. Mortgages by Channing · NMLS #1457759
Start Your Plan
Check income, credit & savings
Build Your Budget
Payment & down payment estimate
Get Pre-Approved
Find out what's actually possible
Build Your Team
Realtor, inspector, title company
Shop & Make Your Offer
Tour smart, offer confidently
Close on Your Home
Sign the papers, get your keys
Before You Begin
No matter where you're starting, there's a path forward.
You don't need perfect credit or a pile of savings to get started. This guide meets you exactly where you are and walks you step by step to the closing table.
Ready to Go
Steady income, decent credit, ready to buy soon
Almost There
Need help with credit or savings, getting close
Just Exploring
Learning right now and figuring out your options
Start Your Home Buying Plan
Check your income, credit, savings, and debt so you know where to begin.
Before you start looking at homes, it's important to see where you are right now. You don't need perfect credit or a lot of savings to get started, this just helps you build a smart plan.
Income & Expenses
Monthly income (before taxes)?
Monthly debt payments (car, student loans, credit cards)?
Current rent or housing payment?
Credit Score
Your estimated credit score
Tip
Use
Credit Karma
or
Experian
to check for free, or reach out and we'll help.
Savings
Amount saved for a home purchase
Any amount is a starting point. Down payment assistance programs exist in Louisiana too.
Want to Talk It Through?
Book a quick call, we'll walk through your numbers together. No pressure, no commitment.
Book a CallBuild Your Home Buying Budget
Figure out a monthly payment and down payment that works for you.
This step isn't about guessing what a lender will approve, it's about finding a budget that works for you. Let's estimate your comfortable monthly spend and how much cash you might need upfront.
Monthly Payment Range
Current rent payment
Max comfortable mortgage payment
Tip
Most buyers feel comfortable paying something close to, or slightly more than, their current rent.
Target Home Price
Circle the price range you're targeting:
$150K
$200K
$250K
$300K
$350K+
Or enter your own target price
Down Payment Estimate
How much could you put down?
0%
3.5%
5%
10%
20%+
Rough Math
Down Payment = Home Price × % Down
Example: $250,000 × 3.5% =
$8,750
Other Upfront Costs to Know
Appraisal: $500 to $700
Inspection: $400 to $600
Closing Costs: 2 to 4%
Down Payment Assistance Available
FHA / USDA / VA Programs
Want Help With the Numbers?
Schedule a quick planning call and we'll walk through your budget together.
Get My NumbersGet Pre-Approved
Find out what you qualify for and what's actually possible.
Now that you've looked at your numbers and built a budget, it's time to get real. Getting pre-approved helps you know which loan program fits you best, how much you can borrow, and what your monthly payment could actually look like.
What You'll Need
Monthly income information
Last 2 pay stubs
Last 2 years of W-2s or tax returns
Last 2 months of bank statements
ID + Social Security number
Info on debts (car, student loans, credit cards)
Don't worry, we'll walk you through every step.
Why Pre-Approval Matters
Shows sellers you're serious, and ready
Helps you shop with real confidence
Gives you a real plan, not just guesses
Uncovers issues early, while there's still time to fix them
This Is the Turning Point
This step turns you from
"thinking about buying"
into a
real, ready buyer.
Most people find this step easier than expected, and it opens up a world of possibilities.
Ready to Apply? Let's Make It Happen.
Not ready? No pressure, reach out and we'll talk through your situation first.
Start the ProcessBuild Your Buying Team
Work with people you trust to help you buy your home.
Buying a home takes more than a lender and a house. You'll work with a small team of people who each help with a different part of the process. Choosing people you trust makes everything easier.
Who's on Your Team?
| Role | What They Do | Who You'll Use |
|---|---|---|
| Lender | Gets you approved, locked in, and closed | Mortgages by Channing |
| Realtor | Finds homes, makes offers, negotiates | |
| Home Inspector | Checks condition before you buy | |
| Title Company | Handles legal paperwork & protects ownership | |
| Insurance Agent | Provides required homeowners insurance |
Don't know who to use? We can connect you with trusted professionals we've worked with for years.
5 Questions to Ask a Realtor
How often do you help first-time buyers?
Will you explain each step of the process?
How quickly do you respond to texts or emails?
Can you help me find homes in my price range?
What's your strategy for making strong offers?
Need a Recommendation?
We've worked with amazing local agents, inspectors, and more. Just ask for an intro.
Request a ReferralShop & Make Your Offer
Look at homes, choose the right one, and make a strong offer.
You're pre-approved and have your team, now it's time to go house hunting. This is the fun part. But also where you'll need to be smart, fast, and strategic. We'll help you make offers that sellers take seriously.
My Home Wishlist
Must-Haves:
Nice-to-Haves:
While You're Shopping
Tour homes with purpose, take notes on each one
Don't get distracted by cosmetics (paint and carpet are easy fixes)
Text your lender when you find one you love
Get a payment estimate updated before making an offer
Offer Checklist
Pre-approval letter ready
Reviewed estimated monthly payment with lender
Talked with agent about offer strategy
Quick Offer Tips
✓ Ask what the home is really worth (comps) · ✓ Consider seller-paid closing costs if budget is tight · ✓ Be ready to move quickly in a competitive market
Want Help Reviewing an Offer?
We're here to walk through numbers, strategy, or anything else before you commit.
Let's Review TogetherClose on Your Home
Finish the loan process, sign your papers, and get your keys.
This is the final stretch. Your loan is in process, your offer was accepted, and now we're working behind the scenes to get everything ready for closing day. Here's what to expect, and what you need to do to keep things moving.
What Happens Now
We'll order the appraisal (if required)
You'll get a Loan Estimate & Closing Disclosure
Title company prepares final documents
We lock in your rate & finish underwriting
You sign closing papers at the title office
You get your keys!
Closing Action List
Send any final documents requested
Confirm your homeowners insurance is in place
Review and sign your Closing Disclosure
Wire your down payment & closing costs
Set up utilities at your new home
Bring your ID to closing, you're almost there!
You Did It.
Buying your first home is no small thing, and now it's done. We're proud to have helped you get here. You've got your keys. Let the next chapter begin.
Start Your JourneyQuick Reference
Your 6-Step Blueprint at a Glance
Keep this page handy, it's your quick reference for the whole journey.
Start Your Home Buying Plan
Check income, credit, savings, and debt to build your starting point
Build Your Budget
Estimate a comfortable monthly payment and figure out your down payment
Get Pre-Approved
Submit your application and get a real number on what you qualify for
Build Your Buying Team
Choose your realtor, inspector, and insurance agent with confidence
Shop & Make Your Offer
Tour homes strategically and make offers sellers take seriously
Close on Your Home
Sign your paperwork, handle final docs, and get your keys
Remember
No matter where you're starting, whether you're
ready to go
,
almost there
, or
just exploring
there is a path forward. We'll meet you wherever you are and help you take the next step.
mortgagesbychanning.com · 337-476-2623 · channing@mortgagesbychanning.com
NMLS #1457759 · Channing Moore NMLS #1235512 · Equal Housing Lender · Licensed in Louisiana
Real Closings
Real Clients.
Real Closings.
Real families we have helped get from pre-approval to keys in hand.
Find Out Where You
Actually Stand
A soft credit check tells you what you qualify for before anyone pulls hard credit. If the numbers say wait, I will tell you that too, and then we make a plan to fix whatever is in the way.
I Want to Buy a HomeMortgages by Channing · 337-476-2623 · Licensed across Louisiana · NMLS #1457759
