The PG County homebuying process.
From "I'm curious" to "I have keys" — broken into nine clear stages and written specifically for first-time buyers in Maryland.
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- 01
Get clear on your why
Week 1Why now? What does this home need to do for the next 5–7 years of your life? Clarity here makes every later step easier — and helps you say no to the wrong houses.
- Timeline goals
- Lifestyle priorities
- Long-term plans
- 02
Run the numbers honestly
Week 1–2Income, debt, savings, credit. Knowing where you stand isn't scary — it's empowering. The Readiness Quiz is a great 3-minute starting point.
- Pull credit reports
- Calculate debt-to-income
- Inventory liquid savings
- 03
Talk to a lender
Week 2–3Pre-qualification is free and tells you what you can actually afford. It also unlocks many Maryland assistance programs that require a participating lender.
- Free pre-qual letter
- Unlocks MMP programs
- Multiple-lender comparison
- 04
Apply for assistance programs
Week 3–4Don't skip this. Maryland Mortgage Program, MMP Flex, Pathway to Purchase, and employer match programs can stack — saving you thousands.
- MMP first-mortgage
- Flex 5000 / Advantage 6000
- PGC Pathway to Purchase
- 05
Map your neighborhoods
Week 3–5Commute, schools, lifestyle, future appreciation. Use the My PG County Neighborhood Guides to compare — and tour a few areas in person before narrowing.
- Commute tests
- School ratings
- Drive-bys at different times
- 06
Start touring
Week 5–8Real touring (not just Zillow). Quan typically schedules 5–7 homes in a Saturday with a buyer — enough to build pattern recognition without burnout.
- Curated showings
- Side-by-side comparisons
- Honest feedback loops
- 07
Make the offer
Week 6–10Strategy matters — escalation clauses, inspection terms, seller concessions. We'll write the offer together and walk through every line.
- Competitive analysis
- Concession strategy
- Contingency planning
- 08
Inspection & financing
Week 10–14The 30–45 day window where preparation pays off. Know what's negotiable, what isn't, and how to keep your closing on schedule.
- Home inspection
- Appraisal
- Final loan approval
- 09
Closing day
Week 14–16Sign the papers, get the keys, take the photo on the porch. Then we celebrate — and start planning your housewarming.
- Final walkthrough
- Wire funds to title
- Keys in hand
First-time buyer FAQs
How much do I actually need saved to buy in PG County?
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Most first-time buyers in PG County put 3–5% down. On a $400,000 home that's $12,000–$20,000, plus 2–3% for closing costs. With Maryland and county assistance programs, many buyers bring less than $10,000 of their own money to closing.
How long does the whole process take?
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From first conversation to keys, plan on 3–4 months. Pre-approval is typically 1–2 weeks, finding the right home is 4–8 weeks of active touring, and closing is another 30–45 days after your offer is accepted.
What credit score do I need?
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FHA loans are available with scores as low as 580 (and sometimes lower with compensating factors). Conventional 97% loans typically need 620+. The Maryland Mortgage Program prefers 640+. Quan can connect you with credit-repair partners if you need to bump a score by 20–40 points.
What if I'm self-employed or a 1099 contractor?
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It takes more documentation but it's very doable. Plan on two years of tax returns, year-to-date P&L, and bank statements. Some lenders specialize in self-employed borrowers — Quan keeps a short list.
Ready to take the first step?
Schedule a no-pressure consultation with Quan. We'll walk through your timeline, finances, and what's possible — together.