The time has come: You’re ready to dip your toes into homeownership, and you’re vaguely aware you might need a mortgage to get the job done. The only problem? You don’t know the first thing about mortgages — how much they cost, how to get one, and how long the approval takes. In fact, you’re probably wondering, “How does a mortgage work, exactly?”

You’re not alone — mortgage stress is real. Many first-time buyers feel overwhelmed by the homebuying process, as it involves making key decisions like figuring out how much house they can afford, choosing the right location, securing financing for all the costs, and more.

The inertia ends here! We spoke to Richie Helali, Mortgage Sales Leader at HomeLight, to walk us through the basics of getting a mortgage. Here’s what buyers need to know.