I just closed on my first home. It was pretty easy. I worked with a real estate agent who’s been in business for over 15 years, and who was referred by my wife’s boss, long time friends from church.
She then referred us to the mortgage person and title person we ended up using. It was super simple. All we had to do was provide financial statements (W-2’s, pay stubs, etc) and they took care of the rest.
It was a little more costly that way, but it was worth the peace of mind. As long as you can follow simple directions (such as ‘send me a copy of your driver license since your address changed), and comply within a timely manner, it’s pretty automated on your part!
Even with “complications,” like the fact that my wife had some dings on her credit due to past student loan issues . . . the mortgage person took care of it with the bank issuing the loan, all we had to do was explain to her why it was what it was in a couple sentences.
They do all the bean counting and paper pushing, you simply check and read the documents for accuracy and keep yourself in the know, so you don’t get ripped off, and sign on the dotted line.
Good luck!!!