Buy
First Time Home Buyer Agent in the Portland Metro
No question is too small. I walk first time buyers through every step, from the first conversation to the keys in your hand.
Why First Time Buyers Choose Jill
Patient guidance, start to finish
“While I enjoy guiding first time home buyers, I have had the privilege of working with a diverse group of buyers and sellers from all over the Portland Metro area.”
— Jill Hill, Principal Broker
Most of my Google reviews come from first time buyers, and that is no accident. I love walking people through their first purchase, because the questions are the best ones. No question is too small, and I would rather you ask twice than wonder once.
The Roadmap
Your 12 step buying process, in short
Here is the whole path at a glance. You do not have to memorize it, I walk through each step with you. For the full detail on every step, see the buying process page.
Evaluate what you want
Make a plan and get connected to lenders
Get pre approved
Find your home and tour
Make an offer
Offer accepted, escrow opens
Home inspection
Negotiate repairs
Appraisal
Prepare to close
Closing and signing
Recording, and the home is yours
Protect Your Approval
Things to Avoid While You're Buying
A lot can change your loan between pre approval and closing. These are the moves I tell my first time buyers to hold off on until after the keys are in hand.
Changing jobs, becoming self employed or quitting
Making large purchases
Running up credit cards or paying late
Spending money set aside for closing
Leaving debts off your loan application
Making large deposits without checking with your lender first
Changing bank accounts
Co signing a loan for anyone
Mortgage Do's and Don'ts
Keep your loan on track
Your lender is watching your finances right up to closing. These do's and don'ts keep everything steady. When in doubt, talk to me and your loan officer before any change.
Do
Keep every account current
Ask your agent or lender when you have questions
Get documents and funds to your lender on time
Keep your phone handy so you can return calls quickly
Don't
Apply for new credit or let anyone but your lender run your credit
Move money between accounts or open new ones
Finance furniture or a car before closing
Pay any bill late
Talk to me and your loan officer before any job change.
Why Own a Home
What owning gives you
Build equity instead of paying rent
Each payment puts a little more of the home in your name, rather than going to a landlord.
Predictable principal and interest
With a fixed rate mortgage your principal and interest stay steady, though property taxes and insurance can still rise.
The freedom to make it yours
Paint, remodel, plant a garden, and settle in. Owning lets you shape the space around your life.
Talk with a tax professional about how owning a home affects your taxes.
From First Time Buyers
In their words
We worked with Jill to purchase our first home and she was so helpful from start to finish. From our first meeting to our final meeting she was always on top of it with providing information, marking sure documents were signed in a timely manner and always heard us out with every question we had. We love our new house and that is all thanks to Jill!! I would highly recommend her to anyone who is looking to buy a house.
Jill helped me buy my first home this last winter in the Aloha area and she was a ton of help during the buying process! The first home we were trying to close on had some unexpected issues, but Jill kept fighting for me and would always be on top of stuff while we were waiting on repairs. She is very quick to respond, no matter when you text her, and she has given me great advice on what to expect/what I should look into more when buying a property. Eventually the offer on the first home fell through due to issues from the seller, but the second home went a lot smoother, and the process was also a lot faster. I am very happy with the home I have today because of her! I would highly recommend Jill to anyone looking to buy their next home in the area :)
Jill was absolutely amazing! She was wonderful about responding quickly and with so much kindness and support throughout the entire process. She took all the worry out of the home buying experience and we are so thankful for her helping us find our first home! I would choose Jill and recommend her, especially to first time home buyers. Jill Hill is a name you will not forget!
Read every review on the reviews page.
When a Deal Falls Through
It happens, and I keep you moving
Not every offer closes, and that is normal. One first time buyer described exactly what that feels like:
“The first home we were trying to close on had some unexpected issues, but Jill kept fighting for me and would always be on top of stuff while we were waiting on repairs. Eventually the offer on the first home fell through due to issues from the seller, but the second home went a lot smoother, and the process was also a lot faster. I am very happy with the home I have today because of her!”
— Ashyan R., Aloha
What I do when issues come up
Keep fighting for you through unexpected issues
Stay on top of repairs while you wait to close
Quick to respond, no matter when you reach out
Help you move on to the next right home
Client Testimonial
From one of my first time buyers
“Jill was amazing! She was extremely helpful throughout the entire process, especially since I have never bought a property before. I never felt pressured into getting anything I didn't want because I could tell she had my best interests at heart. Would definitely work with her again and recommend it to my friends. 15/10!”
Zillow Review
Another first time buyer, in her own words
“This was our first time buying a home, so we were feeling intimated and anxious - that is, until we started working with Jill! She was SO knowledgeable and informative, which made us feel confident in our decisions, even in a volatile/unpredictable market. Jill was incredibly on top of things and quick to answer her ph…”
Corinne Y. | Bought a home in Cully, Portland, OR (2022)
Zillow review
Common Questions
First time buying, answered
Where I Work
Jill's service area
Start Here
Let's talk about your first home
Thinking about buying your first home? Tell me where you are hoping to land and what you are looking for, across Washington County or Multnomah County. I will help you figure out the next step.
Once you are under contract, stay organized with my moving checklist, and learn what to inspect in my home hazards guide.
Let's Talk About Your Move.
Or call Jill directly: (503) 502-7787
Buyer's Guide
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