Seven Tips For First-Time Home Buyers
Now that you've made the
decision to purchase your first home, a hearty congratulations is in
order! Becoming a homeowner, especially
for the first time, can stir up some feelings of anxiety and excitement. With the knowledge that you gain through
individual research and the help of your REALTOR®, you will soon begin to feel
like a seasoned house hunter.
Tip # 1: Do Your Homework
Did you know that there
are a number of incentives available to first-time home buyers? Everything from a 5-10 percent down payment
and interest rates as low as 3.00 percent are just a few of the ways that
lenders help to make the dream of home ownership into a reality for many. An FHA loan, for instance, is especially
appealing to first-time home buyers. The
best way to find out what's available, in terms of down payment requirements
and interest rates, is to do your homework by comparing offerings from various
lenders.
Tip # 2: Save Money
Although many loans are
geared toward offering lower down payments to first-time home buyers, it's
important to save as much money as possible so that you will have enough to
provide an earnest money deposit (if applicable), pay for closing costs and
still have the funds to furnish and decorate your new home.
Tip # 3: Get Your Credit Profile
In Order
When you apply for a loan,
the lender will access a copy of your credit report and will use the
information to determine your creditworthiness and/or interest rate. This means that you will want to make sure
that the information contained in your credit report is accurate and
up-to-date. You can do this by
requesting a copy of your file from each of the three major credit reporting
agencies - Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.
In addition to past credit
history, lenders will also look at your current debt ratio in order to
determine whether or not you can afford the home. This means that you may want to consider
paying down some of your existing credit card debt and avoid taking on any new
debt before applying for a mortgage.
Tip # 4: Start Your Search
With the World Wide Web
being what it is today, it's no surprise that many potential home buyers start
their search online. A Realtor's Web
site is designed to not only list real estate, but also to educate a buyer as
they move through the process of searching for a new home. In addition, the internet offers a way for
consumers to browse through color photos and virtual tours, both interior and
exterior, along with information pertaining to the homes themselves. The convenience of being able to find a home
that you like without having to wait is just one of the many benefits to
shopping for a house online. When you
are finally ready to meet with a REALTOR®, you will already have one or more prospects
in mind.
Tip # 5: Have Patience
Perhaps you will find the
perfect house this week, or maybe it will take a little longer. Some buyers find exactly what they are
looking for right away, while others have to do a little more searching to find
their dream home. As a first-time home
buyer, it's a good idea to begin the process with an understanding that good
things really do come to those who wait.
You may see a number of homes, take numerous photos and may even make an
offer or two, but patience may very well be the key to finding your new home.
Tip # 6: Take Notes
If you see a lot of homes,
it will be impossible to remember the features of each. For this reason, you should consider taking a
notebook and writing down each unique or defining aspect that you like or
dislike about a particular house. This
information, along with any photos that you take, will help you greatly when
it's time to make a choice.
Tip # 7: Don't Settle
A home is a big investment and it could, quite possibly, be the
largest you will ever make. For this
reason, along with the fact that you will be living in the home every day, make
sure that you get what you want. There
could be an instance where you need to make some type of compromise, but you
may want to avoid choosing something just because it's within your price range
or you feel as though it's your only option.
New houses are placed on the market every day and, as a buyer, the next
one listed may just be your dream home.