Prepare the budget
Review income, obligations, savings and a comfortable total monthly housing cost before using a listing price as the budget.
Maria Kaps · Golden Isles Real Estate Advisor · Call or Text (912) 242-2499 · Email Maria
First-time buyers in coastal Georgia
Your first home starts with a clear plan—not a perfect vocabulary.
Maria Kaps helps Golden Isles buyers understand the steps, ask useful questions and make decisions without pressure to already know how real estate works.
St. Simons Island, GeorgiaYou do not need to have everything figured out before you call.
Start with your approximate timing, comfortable monthly range and what you hope the home makes possible. Maria can help organize the real estate questions while lenders, inspectors, insurance professionals and closing professionals handle their areas of expertise.
The buying process
Six steps from curiosity to closing.
The exact order can vary, but this framework helps first-time buyers understand what comes next and where professional advice belongs.
Speak with lenders
Compare loan options, estimated cash to close, rate structure and how taxes, insurance and dues affect payment.
Choose the search
Work with Maria to compare communities, property types, condition and ownership costs within the practical range.
Tour and investigate
Look beyond finishes to condition, maintenance, flood information, insurance questions and association documents when applicable.
Offer with context
Review price, timing, contingencies and property-specific information before deciding on terms.
Complete due diligence
Track inspections, appraisal, financing, insurance, title and closing requirements through the contract period.
Georgia homebuyer resources
Programs can help—but the current rules matter.
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs lists Georgia Dream and related mortgage products, some with down payment assistance options. Eligibility, income and sales-price limits, rates, funding and education requirements can change.
Review current Georgia programs ↗Beyond the down payment
Budget for the whole purchase.
Before closing
Earnest money, inspections, appraisal, lender costs, insurance arrangements and other transaction expenses may apply.
At closing
Your lender and closing professional should explain the final cash-to-close amount and settlement documents.
After closing
Plan for taxes, insurance, dues, utilities, maintenance, repairs and an emergency reserve.
First-time buyer FAQ
Answers without the jargon.
Program and property details change. Use these answers to begin the conversation, then confirm decisions with the appropriate professional.
Who qualifies as a first-time homebuyer in Georgia?+
Definitions vary by program. Georgia Dream generally targets first-time buyers and may also treat someone who has not owned a principal residence in the past three years as eligible, subject to current program rules. Confirm eligibility with a participating lender.
Does Georgia offer down payment assistance?+
Georgia Department of Community Affairs currently lists down payment assistance options within certain Georgia Dream mortgage products. Limits, funding and qualifications change, so buyers should review current DCA information with a participating lender.
Should I call a realtor or lender first?+
You can contact Maria before or after speaking with a lender. Early lender preparation helps define a realistic price range, while Maria can help connect that budget to property types and communities.
What should a first-time coastal buyer budget for?+
In addition to the mortgage, consider taxes, homeowners insurance, flood-related insurance when applicable, association dues, inspections, closing costs, utilities, maintenance and reserves.
Does Maria represent buyers as well as sellers?+
Yes. Maria is seller-focused and also welcomes buyers. She helps first-time buyers understand the process, compare properties and communities, arrange showings and navigate offers and contract milestones.
Ask the first question
Tell Maria what you hope to buy.
You do not need a prewritten wish list. Share your timing, comfortable range and what matters most, and Maria will help organize the next steps.