{"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

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  1. Ask: How Much Home Can I Afford?<\/li>\n
  2. Get Pre-Approved<\/li>\n
  3. Shop For A Home<\/li>\n
  4. Make An Offer<\/li>\n
  5. Book An Inspection And Appraisal<\/li>\n
  6. Are Any Repairs Needed?<\/li>\n
  7. Final Walk Through & Close<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Read on to see what each step entails and what you\u2019ll learn along the way.<\/p>\n

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    1. Ask yourself: how much home can I afford?<\/h2>\n

    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

    2. Check your credit & get pre-approved<\/h2>\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