First-Time Home Buyers in Midlothian and Metro Richmond
Your first home, explained in plain English before you tour a single house, with a straight answer on every one you see.
What does buying your first home really take?
First-time home buyers in Midlothian and Metro Richmond usually start with the same worry. They think they need 20 percent down, and they think they are not ready. Most of the time, neither is true.
Some loan programs allow qualified buyers to put down 3 or 3.5 percent. Eligible VA and USDA buyers may have options with no down payment at all. Virginia Housing, the state's housing finance agency, also offers a down payment assistance grant for eligible buyers.
Down payment money is available to many buyers who never think to look. See which down payment programs you may be eligible for, then bring what you find to your lender.
The down payment is only one piece. You also need money for closing costs, an inspection, moving and a cushion after closing. None of that should scare you off. It should be on paper before you fall for a house online.
That is what this page is for. It walks you through what buying your first home looks like here, and what I do at each step.
Tell me about your first home
How does Christine help first-time buyers?
I am Christine Case, a REALTOR® with NextHome Advantage and an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR). First-time buyers are a big part of my business, and I work with them the same way every time. I teach before I pitch.
Our first conversation is not about houses. It is about why you want to buy, when, and what the monthly number needs to be for you to sleep at night. Sometimes that conversation ends with "you're ready, let's start looking." Sometimes it ends with "let's give this six months and get a few things lined up first." Both are good answers.
I am not a lender, and I will never guess at your loan numbers. The lender I refer most often is Larry Kidd, Owner and Mortgage Broker at Dominion Capital Funding in Moseley (NMLS# 482695). You are always free to choose any lender you like, and I will make sure you know which questions to ask.
Once we start touring, you get a clear yes or no from me on every house. One first-time buyer wrote in a Google review that I was in constant communication through the whole process. That is the standard I hold myself to.
What happens when you buy your first home?
Here is how buying your first home usually goes with me, in order.
- A first conversation. Your goals, your timing and your budget comfort zone. No obligation, and no tour yet.
- A pre-approval, if you will use a loan. Knowing your real budget is one of the most important things you can do, and a pre-approval tells you. Talk to a lender early, even if buying is months away, and ask which programs fit you, including Virginia Housing's.
- The whole cash picture. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says closing costs typically run about 2 to 5 percent of the price, separate from the down payment. Add earnest money, the inspection, moving and savings you keep after closing.
- Your buyer's journey, mapped out. We walk through every step of buying together, so you know what comes next and what I do at each one.
- A focused search. Fewer homes and better ones, built on what you really need. You get my straight opinion on each one.
- The offer, the inspection and closing. I explain each document before you sign it, and what your earnest money deposit does.
Want the numbers side in more detail? Read how much money you need to buy a home in Richmond and first-time buyer programs in Virginia.
Where can a first-time buyer look around Richmond?
My home market is Midlothian and the rest of Chesterfield County, and I help first-time buyers across Metro Richmond. The same budget buys a very different home from one part of the region to the next, so where you look is part of the plan.
Some buyers want an older home on a bigger lot. Others want newer construction or a townhome with less upkeep. Location matters for loans too. USDA eligibility depends on where the property is, and some areas outside the Richmond core may qualify, so it is worth asking your lender to check.
Taxes are part of the monthly cost. In Chesterfield County the 2026 rate is $0.89 per $100 of assessed value. If rates have you nervous, read what a 7 percent rate means for Midlothian buyers.
Talk With Christine About Buying Your First Home
You do not need to know your neighborhood, your loan or your house before you call me. That is my job. Tell me what you are thinking, and I will tell you what I would do first.
Call or text me at (804) 381-1628, or send me a message about buying your first home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need 20 percent down to buy my first home in Virginia?
No. Some qualified buyers can put down 3 or 3.5 percent, and eligible VA and USDA buyers may have no-down-payment options. A licensed lender can tell you which programs fit you.
How much are closing costs for a first-time buyer?
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says closing costs typically run about 2 to 5 percent of the purchase price, separate from the down payment. Your actual amount depends on your loan and your contract.
Are there first-time home buyer programs in Virginia?
Yes. Virginia Housing offers loan programs and a down payment assistance grant for eligible buyers. Income and loan limits apply, so check with a lender who works with Virginia Housing.
Should I talk to a REALTOR® or a lender first?
Either one. Christine usually suggests talking to both early, so you understand the financing, the neighborhoods and the full cost before you start touring homes.
Keep exploring
Ready to make your move with Christine Case?