Do Good Mortgage

Want to learn exactly where to start without going broke?
👇 Comment CLASS below and I’ll send you my FREE Homebuying homebuying class!

Everyone talks about the down payment, but almost no one prepares you for the actual cash you need to close. As a mortgage professional, seeing buyers get caught off guard is the worst, so let's break down the 4 main "buckets" of cash you actually need to plan for before getting the keys.

1️⃣ The Down Payment (The Obvious One)
Yes, first-time buyers can put down as little as 3% (not 20%!). But remember: a smaller down payment means a higher monthly mortgage and likely paying PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance). A larger down payment gives you stronger negotiating power, especially in competitive markets. Find the sweet spot between what you can realistically save and the monthly payment you can comfortably afford.

2️⃣ Closing Costs (The Silent Killer)
These are the behind-the-scenes fees to actually close the loan (title insurance, appraisals, attorney fees, etc.). Expect this to run between 1% to 6% of the purchase price, depending on your location.
💡 Pro-Tip: A safe estimate is 3%. If you take your minimum down payment and double it, that’s roughly your total cash needed to close.

3️⃣ The "Welcome Home" Buffer
Your house is yours... now what? You’re going to need a lawnmower, cleaning supplies, new locks, and probably a few immediate trips to the hardware store. I highly recommend keeping an extra $5,000 liquid just for these post-move-in expenses so you aren't immediately house-poor.

4️⃣ Ongoing Maintenance (The Long Game)
Homes break. A solid rule of thumb is to budget 1% of your home’s total value per year for general upkeep. (Example: For a $400k home, plan to set aside $4,000/year for a rainy day).

Comment CLASS and I'll send you my FREE homebuying class link right now. 👇

Buying alone is brave. But going in uninformed? That's the part that actually hurts you.

Here's what you need to know before you buy:
✅ Know your REAL budget before talking to a realtor
✅ Pre-approval ≠ final approval — know the difference
✅ Your credit score controls your interest rate more than anything
✅ You don't need a partner — you need the right team
✅ Solo buyers CAN and DO win in this market

I made this free class specifically for people who are figuring this out on their own — no pressure, no sales pitch, just real information.

Drop CLASS in the comments and I'll send it to you. 👇

If you feel like you’re late to the homeownership game, the data proves you are exactly on schedule. 🛑

According to the National Association of Realtors, the median age for a first-time buyer has officially hit 40.

Here is the factual breakdown of exactly what changed, especially here in Portland:

1️⃣ Strict Inventory: Portland's Urban Growth Boundary limits how much new housing can be built, keeping supply historically low and demand high across the PNW.
2️⃣ The Wage/Price Gap: Over the last few decades, local home price appreciation has significantly outpaced average wage growth.
3️⃣ Economic Shifts: Higher everyday living costs and shifting interest rates mean it simply takes longer for the average person to save a down payment today than it did in 1986.

The old timeline doesn't apply to today's market. You don't need a time machine—you just need a strategy that actually works for Portland real estate right now.

Let's get you prepared and confident. Comment CLASS to join our free homebuying class! 🏡✨