Make an Impact in Your Community — Get Involved with the HOME Foundation

Get OR Forms
calendar-icon
Calendar
Search Icon
Search
close icon
What's Next
Find real estate forms See ORPAC candidates Browse courses Attend an event Read our FAQ Become a member
It’s easier to get started when you have a plan.

Home Buying Basics

Thinking about buying your first home? It can feel overwhelming, but following a simple roadmap makes the process manageable, and getting connected to resources makes it approachable. Here’s how to start confidently.

Modern suburban houses with landscaped yards on a sunny day
Scroll down
down-arrow

Your 4-Step Home Buying Roadmap

Step 1
Check Your Options for Financial Help

Learn about down payment assistance programs that can make buying more affordable.

Step 2
Connect with a Homebuyer Advocate

Get counseling, education, and guidance so you make informed decisions.

Step 3
Find the Right REALTOR®

Choose a professional with the expertise and support you need.Start Your Home Search – Use your knowledge, resources, and REALTOR® to confidently begin your homebuying journey.

Step 4
Start Your Home Search

Use your knowledge, resources, and REALTOR® to confidently begin your homebuying journey.

Show More

Home Buying Made Simple

These four steps break the process into simple, easy-to-follow actions. Click each step to learn more and take the next step at your own pace.

Explore Financial Assistance

Saving for a down payment can feel daunting, but you may not need the traditional 20% to move into your own place. Programs exist at national, state, and county levels.

Key Programs:

  • Nationwide: Veterans’ grants & loans, Section 184 Indian Home Loan Program
  • Oregon Statewide: Oregon.gov Down Payment Assistance, Oregon Bond Residential Loan Program, FHLB Home $tart, USDA Rural Housing Loans
  • County/Local Programs: NeighborWorks Umpqua, Columbia Cascade Housing Corp., Housing Authority of Yamhill County, DevNW – Corvallis

Tip: Check each program’s eligibility requirements before applying.

Check Down Payment Assistance Option

Get Expert Guidance

Homebuyer advocates help you understand the process, prepare for your mortgage, and access programs designed to help first-time buyers.

Top Resources:

  • Federal & State: CFPB, Oregon.gov’s “How to Buy a Home,” Oregon Housing and Community Services, Habitat for Humanity Oregon
  • Regional & County Advocates: Proud Ground, Neighbor Impact, African American Alliance for Homeownership

Tip: A local advocate can walk you through eligibility, programs, and classes.

Find a Homebuyer Advocate Near You

Find the Right REALTOR®

A qualified REALTOR® guides you through your home search, negotiations, and the paperwork. They can explain the steps and help you focus your thinking on must-haves and would-likes.

When selecting a REALTOR®, you might keep a few things in mind.

  • Specialty Certifications: REALTORS® may choose to specialize in certain clientele. There are courses to train them in “At Home with Diversity” for underserved communities, military relocation, senior relocation, investment properties, and more.
  • Business Focus: REALTORS® may specialize in one or more broad fields of real estate: residential, commercial, property management, rentals, investments, and beyond.
  • Language & Cultural Support: Many REALTORS® provide multilingual services and culturally informed support.

Tip: Even if you’re unsure about what to say when contacting a REALTOR®, getting started with the conversation will help you dial in on the best fit for you, and you’ll connect you with qualified professionals.

Find a REALTOR® on REALTOR.com

Start your home search

When you have financial support, guidance, and a REALTOR®, you’re ready to make informed decisions.

Quick Tips:

  • Set a budget and know how much you’re pre-approved for.
  • Explore neighborhoods and communities you’re interested in online and by driving or walking through them, if possible.
  • Keep a list of priorities (size, location, amenities), and don’t be surprised if things you thought you had to have don’t seem so important once you see a listing that gets you excited.
  • Stay in close contact with your REALTOR® for updates on new listings. They are there to serve you and your interests, so keep them informed if you choose new neighborhoods, change your budget, or decide that the options have a different priority.

Tip: Take your time and use your roadmap to stay organized.