9/6/2024 (Updated: 2/25/2026) - Personal Banking
Emily Mort isn't your average first-time homebuyer. For starters, she's a SouthState Bank employee herself, so when it came time to snag a mortgage, she knew exactly where she wanted to start. But Emily's story goes beyond just picking the familiar. It's a testament to research, perseverance, and feline supervision (courtesy of Cortana, the cat).
Armed with five years of experience at a real estate office in Lakeland, Florida, Emily was no stranger to the advantages of homeownership. Even as a college student, she knew setting herself up to buy a home as quickly as possible was a smart financial move – it was just a matter of saving money. When Emily graduated from college, she and her fiancé, Kate, saved what they anticipated their mortgage payment would be like each month.
”I wanted to know what it would feel like every single month to not have that amount of money available to spend – so we essentially moved a mortgage payment into our savings account every month.”
Emily buckled down and developed a very disciplined mindset toward budgeting. Using the zero-based budgeting method, she intentionally accounted for every monthly expense – all the way down to Cortana’s food, treats and toys. She laughs now about how much she despises sitting down to budget, but how much better she feels knowing it helps her get closer to her goals each month.
Emily said the factors that sealed the deal for her were comfortability, competitive rates, and a streamlined lending process. After filling out the lending application, they were pre-approved for $300,000 as first-time homebuyers, and the hunt for their dream home began.
While the lending process was smooth sailing, the house hunting was a little tricky. There were a few key features that topped the must-have list: a two-car garage, no new construction and minimal repairs. But after they started searching, they realized it might be challenging to find a home that checked all their boxes within their price range – until they came across the charming bungalow in Lakeland they later fell in love with.
The retro 70s abode was an older house with a lot of character and boasted a brand-new kitchen, sparkling windows, and a vintage pink guest bathroom that Emily vowed to preserve forever. However, the real selling point was the sunroom in the back of the house – perfect for the cat’s mid-day lounging routine and bird-watching hobby.
The day before her birthday, Emily closed on the sunshine-filled dream home, purrfect for early wake-up calls from Cortana. The first order of business? A deep clean, followed by a multi-day unpacking extravaganza that is still ongoing.
Emily's journey is more than just square footage and vintage tile. It's a testament to the power of preparation. Here's what she wants other first-time homebuyers to know: you need to work with the A team (realtor, lender, inspector), ask questions, and don't be afraid to ditch the mortgage calculators. "Talk to someone!" Emily urges. "There are so many programs out there, and you might be surprised by what you can afford."
Most importantly, embrace the responsibility of homeownership and the little imperfections that come along with your new place. "The weight of the house shouldn't crush you," Emily says with a laugh. "Life happens. You can go to bed with dishes in the sink, and everything will be okay tomorrow."
As for the future, forget bland beiges and open floor plans; this home will be a funky, personalized haven, a testament to self-expression and feline-approved aesthetic. After all, as Emily says, "Make your home your own. Don't be afraid of that."
SouthState is proud to partner with first-time homebuyers to help them reach their goal of homeownership. No matter where you are in your process, we’re here to help move you forward. Learn about some of our special loan programs here or find a local mortgage banker today.