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11 Must Do’s Before Buying a Home

Are you looking to buy your first home? Congratulations! Home ownership is an exciting milestone. But before you start the search for your dream home, there are a few things you should do first. Here are three tips to help you get started.

When you’re in the process of buying a home, there are a few things you should do before making any decisions. Here are three things to keep in mind:

1. Where do you want to live? 

Location is important when buying a home. Look for safe neighborhoods with good schools if you have children. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance lifestyle, you might want to consider a condo or townhouse instead of a single-family home.

2. Know What You Want

Another important tip to keep in mind when buying a home is to know what you want. This includes things like the size of the house, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and more. Do you want a single-family home, a condo, or a townhouse? Consider your lifestyle and needs when making this decision. Once you have a good idea of what you’re looking for, you can start your search.

4. Check Realistic Timeline With Your Lender or Mortgage Broker

You might be surprised but sometimes buying a house might take 6 months from beginning to end if you trying to purchase a short sale property for example. However in we are talking about buying a property straight from the seller without and 3rd parties included you can expect your closing within 30-45 days from signing you contract and filling up a 1003 application.

5. Get Your Finances in Order

One of the most important things to do before buying a home is to get your finances in order. This means getting pre-approved for a mortgage and knowing how much house you can afford. It’s also a good idea to have some savings set aside for a down payment and closing costs. Once you know how much money you have to work with, you can start the search for your new home.

6. Do You Have a Down Payment Saved Up? 

Most banks require a down payment of at least 3,5% – 20% of the purchase price of the home. Saving up for a down payment can take time, so start planning early.

7. Do you have a good credit score? 

Your credit score will impact the interest rate you qualify for on your mortgage. The higher your credit score, the lower your interest rate will be.

8. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

This is an important first step when you’re ready to start looking for a home. Getting pre-approved will give you an idea of how much you can afford to spend on a house, as well as what kind of interest rate you can expect to pay.

Make sure you dont have any deal breaker like collection accounts, late payment, foreclosure and bankruptcies in past few years. 

9. Are You Prepared For The Responsibilities of Homeownership? 

Owning a home comes with a lot of responsibility. You’ll be responsible for maintaining the property, paying the mortgage, and more. Make sure you’re prepared for this before buying a home. Are you ready to commit? Owning a home is a big commitment. You must be sure that you are ready to make that commitment before buying a home.

10. Have a Realtor Help You Look for Homes

A realtor can be extremely helpful in the home-buying process, especially if you’re not familiar with the area you’re looking in. They can help you find homes that fit your budget and needs, and they’ll also be able to negotiate on your behalf.

11. Get a Home Inspection

Once you’ve found the perfect home, it’s important to get a professional home inspection to make sure there are no hidden problems. A home inspector will check for things like structural damage, mold, and other potential issues.

By following these 11 simple tips, you can make the process of buying a home much easier and less stressful. If you’re looking to finance your home, refinance, or apply for a reverse mortgage than go to fhalend.com to apply. 

Buying a home is a big decision, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. If you follow these three tips, you’ll be on your way to finding the perfect home for you and your family.