Making the decision to buy a home and going through the process are two very different things. Many people have ever said to themselves, “I hope to own a home one day.” But sometimes the process can be daunting. If there are literally millions of homes in the United States, how are you supposed to know where to start looking?
Simply put, you can start exactly where you are.
No matter what type of home you’re looking for or when you want to buy it, it’s best to evaluate your situation to make sure you’re successful when you find your dream home. We have three recommendations so that before you start your search process, you are as informed and prepared as possible.
Review Your Finances Before You Buy a Home
The first step is to assess and familiarize yourself with your financial situation. While the mortgage represents the largest expense, other main expenses that will arise are the down payment, security deposit, and closing costs.
A down payment will typically range from 5 to 20 percent of the total cost of the home, and will be paid to the lender to show that you are committed to the home buying process and paying off your mortgage. Keep in mind that the more you invest in a down payment, the less expensive your monthly payments will be and on top of this, you’ll increase your chances of not needing private mortgage insurance, which is usually required for homes that are 80 percent or more financed.
The formal deposit, a bona fide payment for the Total cost of housing, will be retained in bond by a third entity Impartial after you have signed a contract with the seller, but before that the dwelling is officially yours. This is usually between 1 and 5 per cent. One hundred of the cost of housing.
Finally, you have to take into account that in the future, just before you start living in your new home, there will be closing costs. Lender and property costs, prepaid expenses that must be repaid, and more, may have their deadline at the closing of the sale. It’s best if you have funds set aside for all of this when you begin the search for a home, or if you know for sure that you will accumulate them throughout the process.
In addition to the money in the bank, you’ll want to know what your credit report looks like, as you don’t want to run into nasty surprises. Get your credit score from one of three major companies—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—and pay attention to detail. Are there any errors I need to fix? Do you need to spend some time improving your credit score before you are prequalified for a mortgage? Both lenders and builders will want to know that your credit has a good reputation. You can save yourself future problems by taking all this into account.
Learn from the Mortgage Process
The next big step is to familiarize yourself with the mortgage application and approval process. While it may not seem like a big decision, you should get pre-approved for a mortgage only if you’re ready for all the liability that comes with it. This is a 15- to 30-year debt commitment (fewer years is better!) and should not be taken lightly.
If you decide to go ahead with the process, you’ll need to do some research before meeting with a lender. Consider different lenders and decide which one will work best for you: compare annual percentage rates, origination costs, and terms – and before you meet with the lender, gather all the information you’ll need to communicate your financial situation, such as:
•Identification
• Proof of income
• Evidence of employment
• Credit score
• Debt-to-income ratio
Collect these documents and review them, making sure that you understand what information you are being asked to share and why. Decide if want to be pre-approved or prequalified for a mortgage on this time, and consider the benefits of both options.
A prequalification is where financial information is shared with the lender but does not take steps to verify the information; This is a good first step in understanding what type of loan you can receive and how much you can afford to pay in monthly payments. . Obviously, you’ll want to share accurate information with the lender, but keep in mind that this information isn’t set in stone.
To know exactly what amount you can receive from a lender, you will need to complete the pre-approval process. In this case, the lender will conduct a thorough investigation of your financial history to make sure the numbers align well.
Take a Self-Assessment
The final step? Take a breather and check with yourself. Do you still agree with buying a home? Have you had time to talk to your family and friends for additional information and make sure everyone is on the same page? Have you been honest with yourself about your financial situation?
Keep in mind that, at this point, you shouldn’t have signed any contracts, so you’re completely free to withdraw from the process; But you will feel better if you start the process with strong conviction.
Start Your Search
If all of the above is in order, it’s time to start the fun part! Take some time to determine what your new home will look like by asking yourself these questions:
• How many floors do I want my house to have?
• How many bedrooms and bathrooms will I need? ¿How much square space is necessary?
• Will I need additional rooms?
• Do I want all rooms in one area specific, or distributed throughout the house?
• Do I want an open floor plan? ¿One library? A formal dining room?
• How much front and rear space will I need?
Be sure to make a priority list at As for the features, so that if one is more important than another, Don’t be forced to make a quick decision. You can also group your Answers in categories such as what your home should have, what you want, and what you want that he doesn’t want to. This will prepare you to filter online searches or meet with an agent.
Speaking of which, you’ll definitely want to go online to see the current listings. Visit several listing websites like CasasNuevasAqui to get an idea of local markets. Is your budget aligned with the homes you’re looking at or do you need to reevaluate your options? At this point, you’ll want to start visiting and touring neighborhoods and homes at your own pace (but we also have a helpful guide to help you plan your visits).
Final Thoughts
The important thing to remember throughout this process is to be communicative and go at your own pace. You deserve to find a home you love, at an affordable price for you and your family. Learn about options, ask questions when necessary, and prepare for the emotional process of this trip. The good news is that with enough research and perseverance, you are sure to find the perfect home for you and your family.