From Dream to Doorstep: Leah’s First-Time Home Buying Journey in Tampa Bay

How It All Started: A Call from Leah’s Mom

Last summer, I got a call that would turn into one of my favorite success stories. Claire, a warm-hearted mom on a mission, reached out to me about helping her daughter, Leah, become a first-time homebuyer in Florida. Claire mentioned I came highly recommended—I’m still trying to figure out who I owe that thank-you to, but that’s beside the point!

Leah is the definition of hard-working. She juggles two jobs, with her primary role being at Tampa General Hospital. And while life kept her busy, she was determined to make homeownership happen.

Coffee, Conversations, and Custom Planning

We decided to meet for a buyer consultation at Elevation Coffee near Armature Works in Tampa. (Side note: If you haven’t been, the coffee is chef’s kiss.) During our meeting, we talked through the full buying process—what to expect after going under contract, and what steps we’d need to take to avoid surprises. Then, we got into the mortgage side of things: credit, loan options, down payment expectations, and how to build a plan around her ideal monthly payment.

It was in that meeting that Leah’s path became clear. We figured out what her realistic pre-approval range would be based on her budget, and from there, excitement really kicked in. At the time, Leah was living with her mom, so there wasn’t a rush. We had time to prepare—and that’s exactly what we did.

The Power of Teamwork

Over the next several months, we kept in touch. Then one day, I got the call: “I’m ready.” Leah was prepped and ready to get preapproved for her home loan, and we partnered with United Wholesale Mortgage to get it done. On the real estate side, I connected her with one of Tampa Bay’s finest agents, Erica Walton with Real Broker.

Just 2–3 weeks later, Erica negotiated a great deal and got a signed contract into my hands. We hit the ground running. Within a week, we had all of Leah’s documents updated and her loan fully approved. That’s the magic of working with United Wholesale Mortgage—fast service, common-sense underwriting, and a team that moves with purpose.

From Dreaming to Moving In

But here’s the best part: Leah’s final mortgage payment came in under her budget, and she needed $2,000 less at closing than she expected. 🙌 She was over the moon—especially after hearing all the horror stories from co-workers about stressful buying experiences.

From that first coffee shop consultation to getting her keys in hand, this was a story of teamwork, trust, and preparation. I’m so proud of Leah for making this dream happen and grateful to have been a part of it.

If you’re a first-time homebuyer (or a proud parent of one!), I’d love to help guide your journey too.