First Time Home Buyer

As a first-time home buyer, the purchase process can be quite daunting. This is why it’s important to have an experienced professional such as us to help guide you each step of the way.

Here are some key tips:

• Start saving early: When calculating how much money you need to buy a house, consider one-time expenses as well as new, recurring bills. Down payment, closing costs, and move-in expenses are the main upfront costs to consider when saving for a home.

• Decide how much home you can afford: Figure out how much you can safely spend on a house before starting to shop. (Contact us to help you with this for free)

• Preview homes for sale in the area you're interested in: Once you know what you can afford, see what homes are available within your price range. Use our home search tool by clicking here. Updated in real time so you don't miss a beat!

• Get pre-approved for a mortgage: A pre-approval letter from a lender shows sellers that you’re a serious buyer and can help to speed up the process once your offer has been accepted. Also, it will allow you to know what type of programs you qualify for and the down payment you can expect. Click here to view our partnered lending website.

• Find the right real estate agent: A good real estate agent can help guide you through the home buying process and provide valuable insights into the local market.

• Shop around for the best mortgage rate: Mortgage rates can vary widely between lenders, so it’s important to shop around and compare rates before choosing a lender. To make it easier, work with a Mortgage Broker and they’ll do all the shopping for you. Click here to see our preferred mortgage broker.

• Get a home inspection: A home inspection can help identify any potential issues with the property before you buy it.

• Understand your closing costs: Closing costs typically range from 2% to 3% of the loan amount and includes fees such as appraisal fees, and title insurance.

• Be prepared for ongoing expenses: Homeownership comes with ongoing expenses such as property taxes, homeowners’ insurance, and maintenance costs.

I hope these tips help you navigate the home buying process with ease! Looking for more advice and or ready to get started? Contact us!