On-Demand Replay · 100% Free · No Obligation
First-Time Homebuyer Class.
Built for Southport, Oak Island, Wilmington & coastal North Carolina.
The exact path from "I'm thinking about it" to keys in your hand, taught by a Wilmington mortgage advisor who has guided more than 1,000 coastal NC families home over the last 20+ years.
What you'll walk away with
A real plan, not a pep talk.
Most first-time buyer classes are 80% motivation and 20% information. This one flips that ratio. You'll leave with numbers that fit your life and a clear next step you can take this week.
Exactly what you can afford here
We use a live worksheet with real Wilmington and Southport tax rates so the payment you see is the payment you'll actually pay.
How to get an offer accepted
The pre-approval letter language and earnest money structure listing agents in Brunswick and New Hanover counties take seriously.
Programs your friends won't know about
Local DPA, USDA pockets minutes from Wilmington, and how VA borrowers structure offers without losing to cash buyers.
Mistakes to avoid
The 7 first-time buyer mistakes David sees every month, and the simple checklist that prevents all of them.
Full agenda · 45 minutes
Every minute earns its place.
Where you actually are right now, and the next single step that matters most.
Real minimum scores, the 3 fastest ways to raise yours 20 to 40 points, and the credit myths that cost buyers thousands.
NC Home Advantage, the $15,000 NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment, USDA zero-down map for Brunswick & Pender, VA, FHA 3.5%, conventional 3%, and gift funds.
Why agents in Southport and Wilmington will only show your offer real attention with the right letter.
Property tax math for Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender counties. Wind/hail. Flood zones AE and X. HOAs in St. James, Brunswick Forest, Compass Pointe, and Landfall.
Inspection, appraisal, insurance binder, title, attorney, final walkthrough, and what can blow up a deal.
Real questions from real buyers in the room.
Who it's for
If any of these sound like you…
- You've never bought a home and don't want to feel rushed into the biggest financial decision of your life
- You think you might not qualify (most people who think this actually do)
- You're tired of renting in Wilmington, Leland, or the Brunswick beaches and watching prices move
- You want to buy in the next 3 to 12 months and want to plan it right the first time
- You're relocating to coastal NC from out of state and need the local playbook
- Your parents or family are willing to help with a down payment and you want to do it the right way
Hyper-local examples
Real numbers, real neighborhoods.
We don't use generic national averages. Examples in the session use the actual tax rates, insurance ranges, and HOA dues you'll face in:
Roughly 75% of David's business closes in Southport and Oak Island, so coastal property tax, wind/hail, and flood numbers are something he runs every week.
Your instructor
David Starling
Branch Manager & Senior Mortgage Consultant · NMLS #119565
David has spent 20+ years helping families finance homes across Southport, Oak Island, St. James Plantation, Wilmington, Leland, Hampstead, and the rest of South East North Carolina. He has closed thousands of loans, written hundreds of first-time buyer offers, and personally knows the local appraisers, attorneys, insurance agents, and POA boards by name. He teaches this class because the people who win in coastal NC real estate are the ones who understand the math before they fall in love with the house.
Frequently asked
Questions, answered.
How much does the first-time homebuyer class cost?
Nothing. The replay is 100% free and there is no obligation to apply for a mortgage. You will not be added to a high-pressure sales list. Register with your email and you'll receive the replay link, slide deck, and coastal NC worksheet.
Do I need perfect credit to attend or to buy a home in NC?
No. We cover the real minimum scores by program: 580 for most FHA loans, 620 for conventional and USDA, and 580 to 620 for VA depending on the lender. A big part of the class is showing you the 3 fastest, legal ways to raise a score 20 to 40 points in 30 to 60 days before you apply.
Will you cover down payment assistance programs in North Carolina?
Yes, in detail. We walk through NC Home Advantage (up to 3% down payment assistance plus the $15,000 NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment for qualified first-time buyers), USDA zero-down areas around Wilmington and Brunswick County, VA zero-down for veterans, FHA 3.5% down, conventional 3% down, gift funds, and how to stack programs without losing your interest rate.
Is this only for buyers in Wilmington, Southport, and Oak Island?
The math applies anywhere in the country, but every worked example is tuned to South East North Carolina. We use realistic Brunswick County, New Hanover County, and Pender County property taxes, wind and hail insurance ranges, flood zone AE pricing, and HOA averages for places like St. James Plantation, Brunswick Forest, Compass Pointe, Magnolia Greens, and Landfall.
Can I ask David a personal question after watching?
Yes. After you watch the replay, you can book a private 1:1 follow-up call with David at no cost. If your situation is sensitive (credit event, divorce, self-employed taxes, gift fund sourcing), that call is the best next step.
What documents should I gather before I apply?
Nothing is required to watch the class, but if you want a same-week pre-approval after the replay you'll want: most recent two pay stubs, two years of W-2s or 1099s, two months of bank statements, a photo ID, and a rough idea of any monthly debts (car, student loans, credit cards).
How long until I can actually close on a home after the class?
If you're ready to shop, David can issue a same-day pre-approval letter and a fully underwritten pre-approval within 48 to 72 hours. From accepted offer to closing day, most coastal NC purchases close in 21 to 30 days.
Is this a live class or a replay?
This is the on-demand replay of a live class David taught for coastal NC first-time buyers. You get the full recording, the slide deck, and the same cost-of-ownership worksheet attendees received, so you can pause, rewatch, and share with a co-borrower.
Ready to take the first step?
Get instant access now. You'll receive the replay, slide deck, and the coastal NC cost-of-ownership worksheet by email, so you can watch on your schedule and share with a co-borrower.