Knowledge is power, especially when you’re buying your first home. The more you know, the easier and faster the process will be. Here are 10 things that every first-time homebuyer should know:
- Inventory is low right now, so it might take you a while to find your dream home. But don’t get discouraged! Keep searching and you’ll find a home that you love.
- Get your paperwork ready ahead of time. It will make the financing process go much smoother.
- Get pre-approved. This makes you a more competitive buyer and, in a competitive market, it can make all the difference.
- Narrow down your desired location before you start looking at houses. Remember, they say, “location, location, location” for a reason.
- Start saving long before you start looking. It’s always better to have too much money than not enough.
- Do your research. Find out about crime rates, schools, parks, grocery stores, etc. before you buy. These things don’t just affect home value, they also affect quality of life.
- Don’t spend all of your savings on your down payment. Unexpected expenses can come up with no notice, so make sure that you’re prepared.
- Talk to a loan officer before you start looking. Choosing a home can be fun, but financing a home can be complicated if you don’t have some guidance.
- Tell your loan officer that you’re a first-time homebuyer. There may be special financing programs available to you because of your status.
10. Make sure your credit report looks good. Check for mistakes and spend some time building up your score well before you begin hunting.
If you need help going through the home financing process or have questions about where to start, give me a call or shoot me an email. I’d be happy to help!
Sources: HGTV.com and USNews.com
Skyline Financial Corp. and its loan officers are not credit experts. Always consult a credit specialist for more details.