Your home can be a wise investment if you buy it for the right reasons at the right time. An over saturated market is not the time to buy a house to flip but it can be the perfect time to get that first starter home that you have been saving for. This article can help you to make that decision with confidence.
First Home Insights
Don’t make an offer on the first home you see. Even if you think you have found your dream home on the first visit, take the time to really look around before committing. Look at other homes in the area and really get to know the neighborhood. Buying a home is a big commitment, and one that should not be rushed into.
When you are getting ready to buy a home for the first time, it is necessary that you do not fall in love with the first home that you see. You should always look through at least three or four properties before you decide on which property is the best investment.
Before you purchase your first home, determine if you are ready to be a homeowner. If you are not planning on staying in the same area for at least the next three to five years, buying a home is not the right choice. Also be sure you are willing to accept the reality of the home you can afford, rather than the one you want.
Purchasing your first home is a wonderful life lesson. It will teach you the cost of home ownership and help you learn about maintaining your property. You will also build a network of people that can really help with investing. Your first home is an investment that should not be taken lightly.
If you are looking for ways to come up with a down payment for your first home purchase, you can consider borrowing against your retirement accounts. You can take out up to $10,000, penalty free, from your IRA to use towards your purchase if you are a first-time home buyer.
Buying your first home can be a lot of fun. Just make sure the home will fit your needs now, and also your future needs. If you entertain a lot or plan to expand your family, you will need a bigger house. If you are concerned with privacy, you will want to find one that will give you that. Take the time to really decide what you are looking for.
Down Payment Options
When making an offer on a home you intend to buy, you will need to add the amount of your down payment. You should consider the amount of your down payment carefully. The size of your down payment will show the seller how serious you are and will also be evaluated by the lender. This may determine if you will be able to obtain the loan.
Find out how much you are qualified to borrow. Prior to searching for a home, find out exactly how much you are able to borrow. Most people know how much they can afford to pay as a monthly mortgage payment, but sometimes they don’t take into account such things as mortgage insurance, down payment, property taxes etc. All of these factor into the calculation of the mortgage amount.
Get your financing in order before you put in an offer on a short sale home. Lenders want to see that you are going to be able to finish the deal. If you are pre-approved, have a down payment, and are ready to close whenever necessary, they will give preference to your offer over others.
When looking to buy real estate a great tip is to plan ahead. This will allow you time to save plenty of cash to make a meaningful down payment. Because the mortgage is spread over such a long period there is a hefty interest charge, the larger upfront down payment the smaller the interest charge, and the smaller your monthly payments.
Before you start looking for a home to buy, make sure you have enough cash to cover the down-payment and closing costs. While some lenders will loan up to 95% of the purchase price, it’s smart to have at least 20% of the price of the home you hope to purchase ready for these costs.
Don’t Forget Closing Costs
Read the fine print before signing a mortgage through the loan company. Some companies will charge fees for closing costs or private mortgage insurance, which will increase your mortgage payment. You should also check to see if there are any penalties involved if you decide to move within a certain time period.
Meet with a lender prior to looking at homes. Ask about the available loan options so you will get an idea of how much cash out of pocket you will need for closing costs, down payments, and any other fees. You may find yourself surprised at the amount of money that you may be able to afford due to the low interest rates.
Don’t overlook closing costs. Your bank may have approved a set amount they may lend you, but closing costs are expected to be available from you upfront. These fees include origination fees, title and settlement fees, taxes and homeowners insurance, etc. There are calculators online that will allow you to get a general idea of closing costs in your state.
When deciding if you can afford to buy a house or not, you have to keep in mind taxes and closing costs. Some property taxes are quite steep and range from around two hundred dollars or more a month. So even if the mortgage itself is in your budget, the added expenses might not be.
When you have decided to purchase the home of your dreams, it is important to be aware of the costs you will have to pay when you apply for a mortgage and the closing costs. For example, you must pay for a credit check at the time of application. Be sure your lender provides a good faith estimate of all costs so there won’t be any surprises at the closing table.
As previously stated, timing can be everything in buying real estate. You also need to consider what you want to buy and why you want to buy it. The above article can help you to come to the right decision at the right time. Take the time to think it over and do it when you are sure.
