Home Buying Tips

We love working with first-time home buyers! The thrill of educating, searching, and moving into a new home should be celebrated and not feel like a totally overwhelming process. Here are a few quick tips from NerdWallet for first-time homebuyers who may be feeling a bit nervous.

• Start saving for your down payment ahead of time.
  Feel free to play around with a down payment calculator.
• Determine how much you can afford using an affordability calculator
• Check your credit, dispute any errors, and pay down any possible debts
• Learn about your down payment options. The Federal Housing Association has a few loan programs for first-time buyers. There may also be Veteran Affairs loans and of course getting gifts from family and friends.
• Check with your county and state for possible buying assistance that includes perks like tax breaks and interest-free loans
• Don’t forget to consider and calculate closing costs!
• Create a separate budget for furniture, appliances, paint, artwork and any other item you may want in your new home
• Decide what type of property you’d like to purchase (ex. condo, townhouse, large or small home). Do you want a garage or is living near great schools and in close proximity to shopping centers more important?
• Research your mortgage/loan options and determine which is best for you based on costs, fees, eligibility requirements, length, etc.
• Get pre approved
• Search for your home and put in an offer
• Move in!