Homeownership is still one of the most sought-after dreams in the United States, even though home prices are increasing in many areas of the country. It is always good to plan well for a home purchase so you can be prepared for all the expenses and upfront costs that come with buying your own home. The following are some recommendations to help you prepare for your upcoming search for the right home to buy.

Shop For a Mortgage 

In the process to find the right home, you need to seek out the right financing for the purchase. The financing in your home purchase is going to dictate the amount you pay in interest with each payment and also how many upfront fees you will pay. The type of loan you qualify for will also allow you to have a small or no down payment or be able to finance your down payment in a second mortgage, which can be especially important in your ability to afford a home. Unless you have thousands saved for a down payment and closing costs, you may need to finance more than you think. 

Check with a few different mortgage lenders at the start of your home-buying process to find out what the loan origination fee and other loan fees will be included. These fees are charged in addition to any points charged to lock you into a lower interest rate and to lower your monthly payment. Also, ask about any required mortgage insurance that you will pay on your mortgage. Different mortgage loans have different requirements for mortgage insurance and these can add quite a bit to your monthly home-buying costs. 

Search For a Home

Once you have your financing selected and your loan application processed with a pre-approval amount, you will know how much you can spend on a home. The mortgage pre-approval from your lender provides you with the maximum amount you can borrow based on your credit score and also your income. 

Find a real estate agent you want to work with and let them know what your wants are in a home. The home size, style, amenities, and property size, for example, are all important elements that you can specify to your real estate professional. They will then complete a search of the database of homes for sale to compile a list that matches your specific criteria. Consult with your real estate agent about what types of features and details you can customize in your search for the right home. Then, plan to visit homes to personally tour them to narrow down your search to a home that fits your needs.

Contact a real estate agent to learn more about being a home buyer. 

Share