Looking for the Best Realtor for First-Time Home Buyers in El Paso?
Updated
The best realtor for first-time home buyers in El Paso explains every step before you sign, from pre-approval to closing, and shows you the costs up front. Marina Ramirez, a bilingual REALTOR® and First-Time Homebuyer Specialist with Clear View Realty, works with first-time buyers across El Paso in English or Spanish.
Call Marina at (915) 240-8340 to talk through your first purchase.
What a first-time buyer realtor should do for you
- Explain pre-qualification and pre-approval: A pre-qualification is only an estimate, while a pre-approval is a verified commitment from a lender. Marina connects you with trusted local lenders so you have a pre-approval letter before you shop.
- Walk you through your loan options: Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans require 3.5% down and generally a credit score of 580 or higher, and eligible veterans may qualify for 0% down with a Veterans Affairs (VA) loan. Marina also gives guidance on down payment assistance programs.
- Show you every cost up front: Beyond the down payment, you pay closing costs, the inspection, the appraisal and moving. Marina provides a complete cost sheet so you are never surprised.
- Negotiate your offer: In El Paso, the seller can often be asked to pay some or all of the closing costs. Marina negotiates the price and terms on your behalf.
- Make sure the inspection is done right: The inspection is your chance to find problems before you close. Marina works with a network of trusted inspectors and makes sure everything is in order before closing.
- Keep you updated through closing: Closing typically takes 30 to 45 days after your offer is accepted. Marina keeps you up to date the whole way, as one of her first-time buyers describes below.
For loan details, see Marina's page on FHA and VA loans in El Paso. For the numbers, read how much you need to buy your first home in El Paso, and for how the agent gets paid, read who pays the buyer's agent in El Paso.
How Marina works with first-time buyers in El Paso
- Pre-approval: Marina connects you with trusted local lenders to get your pre-approval letter.
- Home search: Together you look for homes that fit your budget and needs, anywhere from West and Northeast El Paso to the Lower Valley, Horizon City and Socorro.
- Offer and negotiation: Marina negotiates on your behalf for the price and terms, including closing costs.
- Inspection and closing: Marina makes sure everything is in order before closing, with a network of trusted lenders, inspectors and other professionals.
Marina shows first-time buyers both resale homes and new construction, as Luis Verdeja describes below.
What a first-time buyer says
“My wife and I worked with Marina Ramirez to buy our first house. We were unsure of how the process worked but she made it easy and kept us up to date on the entire process. From looking at resells to new builds she was with us every step of the way. She would always answer any questions we had no matter how absurd they were. She is the best!”
Luis Verdeja, first-time buyer
Before you start
Before you start, it helps to know the home inspection red flags first-time buyers in El Paso should never ignore.
Prefer Spanish?
Marina offers full services in Spanish for you and your whole family, with full transaction support in English and Spanish. Se habla español. Learn more about working with a Spanish-speaking realtor in El Paso.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the best realtor in El Paso for first-time home buyers?
It depends on your situation. The best first-time buyer realtor in El Paso for you explains pre-approval, loan options and closing costs before you commit, negotiates for you and keeps you updated through closing. Marina Ramirez is a bilingual REALTOR® and First-Time Homebuyer Specialist with Clear View Realty who works with first-time buyers across El Paso in English or Spanish. You can check any agent's license on the Texas Real Estate Commission website.
Is Marina Ramirez a First-Time Homebuyer Specialist?
Yes. Marina Ramirez is a bilingual REALTOR® and First-Time Homebuyer Specialist with Clear View Realty in El Paso. She explains each step from pre-approval to closing, connects you with trusted local lenders and works with you in English or Spanish.
Do I have to pay my realtor as a first-time buyer in El Paso?
You are contractually responsible for your agent's compensation under the representation agreement you sign, but the seller can and usually does cover it through a negotiated concession at closing. Most El Paso buyers still pay nothing out of pocket for their agent.
Do I have to sign an agreement before a realtor shows me homes?
Yes, if the agent is a member of the National Association of Realtors, which nearly all are. A written agreement stating compensation is required before touring homes. You can limit the term and the scope, and a term of ninety days is common.
Can a realtor help me find down payment assistance?
Yes. Marina gives guidance on down payment assistance programs and connects you with trusted local lenders, who confirm what you qualify for.
Can I buy my first home with Marina in Spanish?
Yes. Marina offers full services in Spanish for you and your family, with full transaction support in English and Spanish. Se habla español.
Comparing agents for any kind of move? See how to judge any El Paso real estate agent. For the full step-by-step process, read Marina's first-time home buyer guide. When you are ready, call Marina at (915) 240-8340 or schedule a free consultation.