{"id":28,"date":"2021-07-15T19:07:17","date_gmt":"2021-07-15T19:07:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.realtyhop.com\/mortgage-center\/?p=28"},"modified":"2023-07-22T13:38:06","modified_gmt":"2023-07-22T17:38:06","slug":"tips-for-first-time-homebuyers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.realtyhop.com\/mortgage-center\/tips-for-first-time-homebuyers\/","title":{"rendered":"Ready to Buy A Home? Here Are 7 Key Steps"},"content":{"rendered":"
The path to owning a home may seem like a daunting one. But don\u2019t fret. It isn\u2019t the riddle-of-the-sphinx territory, and RealtyHop is here to help!<\/p>\n
Set yourself up for success by following this 7-step guide:<\/p>\n
Read on to see what each step entails and what you\u2019ll learn along the way.<\/p>\n
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Before starting your home search, take a look at your monthly income, expenses, ongoing debt, and investment earnings. Keep in mind the unwritten 28\/36<\/strong> rule: Don’t spend more than 28% of your gross monthly income on home-related costs, and no more than 36% on total debts \u2014 including your mortgage, credit cards, and other loans like auto and student loans.<\/p>\n Examine your current debts as well. This includes credit cards, student loans, car payments, or any other unpaid tabs. Your debt-to-income ratio<\/strong> will determine how much money you can reasonably put toward the standard 20% down payment as well as the mortgage bill each month.<\/p>\n If you can clear out those old debts first \u2014 do it.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll also have to factor in property taxes, homeowners insurance, potential upkeep costs, and closing fees (usually 1-4% of the home’s purchase price). If you’re considering a condo or co-op, consider what the homeowners association (HOA) fees will be. They vary but could be as high as $1,500<\/a>.<\/p>\n Plus, city living tends to be more pricey than suburban and rural living. Having trouble determining a number?<\/p>\n A pre-approval letter from a mortgage lender lets a seller know you are poised to get financing for the deal.<\/p>\n To get one, you\u2019ll need to check your credit score. Most mortgage lenders use FICO \u2014 the go-to standard credit scoring model \u2014 to gauge your creditworthiness. Three companies \u2014 Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion \u2014 can figure out your score. Scores range from 300 to 850<\/b>. Higher scores represent a better credit history and make you eligible for lower interest rates. Credit scores that hover between:<\/p>\n Is your score below 600<\/b>? Well, improve your credit before applying for a mortgage.<\/p>\n Related Link: Credit Score \u2014 What Is It And Why Is It Important?<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n If your credit is in good financial standing, it’s time to secure a lender. But which one is right for you?<\/p>\n There’s the quick-and-easy online type. There are also banking giants staffed with agents offering face-to-face consultation. Whichever you prefer, there are plenty of options: Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), Chase (NYSE: JPM), Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC), Better Mortgage, Lending Tree (NASDAQ: TREE), Rocket Mortgage, or credit unions like Navy Federal Credit Union, PenFed Credit Union and Connexus Credit Union. There are also regional banks, such as SunTrust, Emigrant Bank, and Lone Star Bank.<\/p>\n These lenders always ask for some information about your history and financial health<\/a>:<\/p>\n Consider reaching out to more than one lender to hear their offers. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), 77% of mortgage applicants seek out just one lender. However, by applying to several lenders rather than just one, you can compare costs and potentially save more than $3,500 in just the first five years.<\/p>\n ready to tap your coffers and buy a home, consult a realtor. Recall our 10 Things You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home<\/i><\/a> post. It\u2019s a common misconception that using a realtor drives up the cost of a new home. It\u2019s the seller who pays the commission for the realtor. A good realtor can help you navigate the home-buying process as well as the contract negotiations.<\/p>\n Ask family members and friends for a direct referral to ethical and reliable agents in your area or the neighborhood where you\u2019re house hunting. To avoid spending too much time looking at the wrong house, establish your criteria. Go to listing sites like RealtyHop, and search based on neighborhoods. It will give you a good sense of what kinds of property are out there, and help you set up some guidelines. <\/i><\/p>\n Related Link: <\/i>10 Tips For First-Time Home-Buyers<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n Here\u2019s a list of the usual priorities.<\/p>\n Rank these priorities from most to least important and show the list to your agent. Don\u2019t get discouraged if your search seems challenging. Only you can decide which property is right for you. Make sure you see plenty of homes before you decide which one you want to make an offer on. Like much of the homebuying process, you can do a great deal of your house hunting online.<\/p>\n Related Link: <\/i>Buying A New Home For Your Family<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n Once you find a property you like that fits your needs and budget, it\u2019s time to make an offer.<\/p>\n Keep in mind that just because you\u2019re pre-approved for a certain amount doesn\u2019t mean you have to spend that amount. Be realistic about your income and foreseeable monthly expenses so you don\u2019t bite off more than you can chew.<\/p>\n In this vein, be sure to visit plenty of homes so you get a good sense of what the market has to offer. The larger your sample size of viewed homes the more confident you\u2019ll be in determining what is a good deal and what is overpriced. When you eventually find the house you want to buy, it\u2019s time to work with your agent to structure an offer.<\/p>\n Submit an offer letter in writing. Some brokerages have forms you can fill out, or you can simply ask your broker to draft the offer letter as an email. It will include standard details like your name, current address, the price you\u2019re willing to pay for the home as well as a deposit (perhaps 1% \u2013 2% of the purchase price).<\/p>\n Your offer basically details how much you’re willing to put down in earnest money to take the home off the market. The funds are released from escrow and applied to your down payment at closing. If your offer is accepted, it becomes a binding agreement for both you and the seller, so be sure you structure it with a professional who has handled this process before.<\/p>\n Lastly, the letter should cordially mention a deadline for the seller to respond.<\/p>\n From here, the seller may accept, reject or counter offer. In that scenario, you can either accept the counteroffer, reject it, or make another one. This back-and-forth can go on for some time, so allow your real estate agent to help you manage expectations.<\/p>\n If you can\u2019t reach an agreement, feel free to walk away. But if you and the seller agree to an offer, it\u2019s time for the inspection and appraisal.<\/p>\n It’s essential for both an inspector and an appraiser to conduct a complete visual inspection of the interior and exterior to see if there are any needed repairs. But there are differences between the two.<\/p>\n Inspection<\/span>: This is generally done at the time of sale and is an inexpensive way to make sure the home you are buying isn\u2019t a money pit of incredibly expensive fixes. Doing the inspection first may ultimately save you money on an appraisal, which tends to be more costly. Like an appraiser, an inspector conducts a complete visual examination of the interior and exterior of a home to determine its quality, and if there are any needed repairs.<\/p>\n If the inspection comes back with major red flags, that\u2019ll hurt the value of the home and you may not want to proceed with the appraisal let alone a purchase.<\/p>\n The inspector should also be a trained and educated expert who will make sure the HVAC system works; the roof is in good condition; the foundation is solid; and the electricity systems are safe and up to code.<\/p>\n2. Check your credit & get pre-approved<\/h2>\n
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3. Shop for a home<\/h2>\n
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4. Make an offer<\/h2>\n
5. Inspection & appraisal<\/h2>\n