Before looking at houses, Alex met with a lender . The lender reviewed Alex's income and debts and handed over a pre-approval letter . This was a "Golden Ticket" that proved to sellers that Alex actually had the means to buy a home.

Alex visited the "Keepers of the Score" to check their credit score . A higher score meant the banks would trust Alex more and offer lower interest rates , saving Alex thousands of pieces of gold over time.

Alex started by looking at their gold coins. To buy a house, they needed a down payment —usually between 3% and 20% of the home's price—plus extra for closing costs , which cover the legal and administrative fees.

To reach the end of this journey, Alex had to follow a specific map:

The pair toured many castles. Alex had to distinguish between "must-haves" (like a sturdy roof) and "nice-to-haves" (like a purple kitchen). When Alex finally found "The One," they made an offer .

Alex walked across the threshold, no longer a renter, but a homeowner. The quest was complete.

Alex found a seasoned real estate agent to act as a guide. This guide knew which neighborhoods were hidden gems and which were sinking swamps, and best of all, the guide’s help was usually free for the buyer!

Once upon a time, there was a hopeful renter named Alex who was tired of thin walls and rising monthly payments. Alex decided it was time to embark on the "Quest for the Keys."