Buying a home can feel intimidating when nobody has explained the process. Credit scores, lenders, down payments, closing costs, insurance, taxes, repairs, and mortgage payments can all sound like a different language to a first-time buyer.
That is why New Orleans-area real estate broker Jhona Watts wants buyers to slow down and understand the steps before they start shopping.
Through Watts & Associates Realty, Jhona focuses on helping people become prepared homeowners — not just approved buyers. Her approach comes from her own journey. Before real estate, she worked in income tax services, built her own tax business, helped clients with credit, and learned firsthand how important financial literacy is when families are trying to build stability.
When she started looking into buying a home for herself and her children, she realized how much she had to figure out alone.
“I had to literally figure this out on my own,” she said.
Now, she uses that experience to help others understand the home buying process one step at a time.
Step 1: Know where you stand financially
Before looking at houses, Jhona says buyers need to understand their current situation. That means looking at credit, income, savings, debt, monthly bills, and spending habits.
A buyer may want a home, but the bigger question is whether they are prepared for everything ownership brings.
Step 2: Understand that a mortgage is not the only cost
Jhona reminds buyers that once they own a home, there is no landlord to call.
“There’s no landlord,” she explained. “Everything is on you.”
That means buyers should prepare for more than the mortgage payment. Homeownership can also include:
- Homeowner’s insurance
- Property taxes
- Utilities
- Maintenance
- Plumbing repairs
- Termite issues
- Roof repairs
- Storm or hurricane-related damage
- Emergency expenses
Her advice is simple: do not just buy the house. Make sure you can keep the house.
Step 3: Get your credit, income, and savings in order
According to Jhona, lenders want to see that buyers can afford the home and handle the responsibility. That usually means showing steady income, having money saved, and understanding what loan options may fit your situation.
Credit matters because it can affect approval and interest rates. Savings matter because buyers may need money for a down payment, closing costs, inspections, moving, and early repairs.
Step 4: Learn what 3.5% down really means
One myth Jhona wants to clear up is that every buyer needs tens of thousands of dollars just to get started.
Some first-time buyers may qualify for loan programs that allow a down payment as low as 3.5%. That does not mean buying a home is free, but it can make the goal feel more realistic.
Here is a simple example:
- A $150,000 home at 3.5% down = $5,250 down
- A $200,000 home at 3.5% down = $7,000 down
- A $250,000 home at 3.5% down = $8,750 down
That number is only the down payment. Buyers may still need to plan for closing costs, inspections, insurance, taxes, and other expenses. The exact amount depends on the loan, lender, home price, and buyer’s financial profile.
Jhona’s point is not that everyone should buy with 3.5% down. Her point is that buyers should not count themselves out before learning their options.
Step 5: Be careful with grants and assistance programs
Jhona says grants and first-time buyer programs can help, but buyers need to understand the tradeoffs.
“Nothing is free,” she said.
Some assistance programs may help with upfront costs but affect the monthly payment, interest rate, or long-term cost of the loan. That is why she encourages buyers to ask questions and compare options instead of only focusing on the money offered upfront.
Step 6: Talk to a lender before you start shopping
Once a buyer has reviewed their credit, income, savings, and budget, the next step is speaking with a lender. A lender can explain what the buyer may qualify for and which loan programs make sense.
Jhona says every situation is different. Some buyers may be better with one loan type, while others may need a different path. Some may need to work on credit first. Others may need to save more or adjust their budget.
Step 7: Work with someone who will educate you
For Jhona, real estate is not just about opening doors and writing offers. It is about helping buyers understand what they are walking into.
“I’m not going to put you in a house that I know is messed up,” she said. “To me, it’s more than that.”
That is the foundation of Watts & Associates Realty. The brokerage focuses on residential real estate, property management, and helping buyers, sellers, and investors make informed decisions. But at the center of the company is education.
Jhona wants buyers to understand the process before closing day, so when they finally get the keys, they are prepared for what comes next.
For her, the goal is not just homeownership. It is sustainable homeownership.
Through Watts & Associates Realty, Jhona Watts is helping New Orleans-area buyers turn confusion into confidence — one step, one conversation, and one set of keys at a time.
