Things I Wish Every First-Time Buyer Knew

Let’s start right here, because this is where most single moms quietly count themselves out.

You do not need:

• An 800 credit score
• $20,000 in savings
• A co-borrower
• Everything figured out

What you do need is a clear starting point.

Most lenders are looking at three core things:

1. Income stability
2. Debt-to-income ratio (DTI)
3. Credit behavior (not perfection, behavior)

What is DTI?
This is the percentage of your income that goes toward debt each month.

Example:
If you make $4,000/month and your debts are $1,200/month
Your DTI = 30%

Most loan programs want you under 43%–50%, depending on the loan.

Tangible Step:
Write this down today:

• Monthly income (before taxes)
• Monthly minimum payments (car, credit cards, student loans)

This is your real starting point, not your assumptions.