---
title: First-time Homebuyer Guide
---

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# Your Step-by-Step Guide to Buying a Home: Tompkins First-Time Homebuyer Guide

Tips to Help You on Your Home Buying Journey

![Color Bar](https://offers.tompkinsbank.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Emails/Color%20Bar.jpg?width=2000&height=16&name=Color%20Bar.jpg "Color Bar")

 Buying your first home does not have to be scary. Our First Time Homebuyers Guide walks you through every step - from getting pre-qualified to closing. At Tompkins, we will help guide you every step of the way.

## Request our Homebuyer Guide

### In the Guide

![Getting Pre-Qualified](https://offers.tompkinsbank.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Getting%20Pre-Qualified.png?width=50&height=50&name=Getting%20Pre-Qualified.png "Getting Pre-Qualified")

Getting Pre-Qualified

![Finding A Home](https://offers.tompkinsbank.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Finding%20A%20Home.png?width=50&height=50&name=Finding%20A%20Home.png "Finding A Home")

Finding a Home

![Making An Offer](https://offers.tompkinsbank.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Making%20An%20Offer.png?width=50&height=50&name=Making%20An%20Offer.png "Making An Offer")

**Making an Offer**

![Applying for a Mortgage](https://offers.tompkinsbank.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Applying%20for%20a%20Mortgage.png?width=50&height=50&name=Applying%20for%20a%20Mortgage.png "Applying for a Mortgage")

**Applying for a Mortgage**

![Processing-Underwriting\_Appraisal](https://offers.tompkinsbank.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Processing-Underwriting_Appraisal.png?width=50&height=50&name=Processing-Underwriting_Appraisal.png "Processing-Underwriting_Appraisal")

**Processing, Underwriting & Appraisal**

![Closing-Settlement](https://offers.tompkinsbank.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Closing-Settlement.png?width=50&height=50&name=Closing-Settlement.png "Closing-Settlement")

**Closing / Settlement**

[![View Rates](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5067111/interactive-206425433219.png)](https://offers.tompkinsbank.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKiSG%2FZyAPWYUOW%2BO9h56J9%2FTn8uIVcucZEC8rQgjkOrXSRUgYqvTGV5MUXK32Q21rlO7OqLV4fAA%2B6mqK4o0AUF44%2BHBkGahVyRxDjE90jS7uNokwR8EwHjSoinNGAlU7rMys0et6ECx1K4QKmvyjpKzFGtqYsA6AMKPGFv%2BLX159kp9I%3D&webInteractiveContentId=206425433219&portalId=5067111&hsLang=en)

[![View Mortgage Options](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5067111/interactive-206425105414.png)](https://offers.tompkinsbank.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLL6wHyjIGPjGM9LZukfw76mPA6rqEcEM1cTLIdOlddUPj2sWk%2FNEAqJH%2FiKJd05qSh6tR4r0GNkHEvP%2B9R3KsDXQGwvIga68o27ml%2B1tvwdwExOAgLHU7tu5i8K2oKJtMezbcDVDeqA8LkrMk3OyEKv5mHqAdTCZoQAFJ2KeS3BX1oPG4VLraOar8WsyQfV3q648m2uLGHf0tt67bKd2Q%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=206425105414&portalId=5067111&hsLang=en)

[![Apply for a Mortgage](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5067111/interactive-206425433264.png)](https://offers.tompkinsbank.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLK7Kqbyi6yOndEw6L7LgYkhsRXjkuY3GcAFfL89svIMbsYHNShmq%2Bv8Gy8VnH%2FUzD6bOCGz6CmcM18MyPRXVIhgAzkfqa5KWZ5Lryt27YfeakW7WnV6sDhUNM2D9cu7sUNNofSiIqKPKyd7fGsdC3inDo43gZ9AhjrncEl3RlWzVSJsj%2F1r9DUoTw1vju0pWXSHaiJE0yxh%2FFLh%2FkjtTH0c%2F1iMhiczcDTytRH%2FYA8RiRXyHYVaNl2r8AhxYHaN7Wv57EpLVp6si5b8Cy7wiA%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=206425433264&portalId=5067111&hsLang=en)

[![Find Loan Officer](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5067111/interactive-206425105267.png)](https://offers.tompkinsbank.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLLE7mNNSX9asCOfS9KANpBCFUj23VFXI4Y4u5q2ArwmRdOxJtMqjq3ySw5Nfd6cRDCRoJCOkukm9F%2BLdo5QyxwYEW8Wuz2kuJ%2FMWd9Uk3HvR7kEGiAnbXc2CmbaVyCwhR2YrSViZKAq%2B5LOQNgwMuFLfusNbL%2Bq%2F0%2Fsf3%2FEvOQw2eg4Jvgsx0ouZsdX4A%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=206425105267&portalId=5067111&hsLang=en)

Have other questions?  [Contact Us](https://www.tompkinsbank.com/about-us/contact-us)

 

 

 

 

*Deposit and loan products are offered through Tompkins Bank & Trust, Member FDIC. Loans subject to credit approval, income, and other qualifying guidelines. Property insurance required; flood insurance may be required. Consult your tax advisor about deductibility of interest. Some restrictions may apply. NMLS #: 456030*

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