Shopping for your first home can be an exciting, but stressful experience. There are many things to consider when shopping for your first home, and a lot of ways you can prepare!
Know Your Credit Score
You can do this with free, easy to use apps like Credit Karma. If you are moving with your spouse, it is important to know both of your scores. Your credit score will be a very large factor in determining the interest rate on your mortgage. A quick guide for rates are below!
800 – 850 – Exceptional
740 – 799 – Very Good
670 – 739 – Good
580 – 669 – Fair
300 – 579 – Very Poor
Establish a Budget
Knowing your budget for your new home is crucial, and you should not wait to be pre-approved for a loan before you determine it. Analyzing how much you are able to afford, on top of your additional monthly expenses is crucial in the home buying process. A general recommendation is to spend at max 28% of your prefaced monthly income.
Determine What & Where
Selecting the type of home you are looking for will help narrow down your search for you & your realtor. Love remodeling? An older home, or foreclosed home could be a great option or you. Looking for a low stress move? A move-in ready home could be the answer. Location is also crucial, and one of the most important factors of your home. School districts, tax rates, safety, and resale value are all factors to consider when finding your first home, and can help save you stress in the future!
