AuthorIf you’re considering buying a home, you’ve likely received advice from everyone you’ve ever met on the best steps to take, who to work with, etc.
While there are many things a person should know before he or she buys a home, the following 4 points are incredibly important.
Confirm the Accuracy of Your Credit Report
The three credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion; are the go-to locations for all things related to your credit report. These three entities contain the pertinent information regarding your credit report and in turn, your credit score.
However, it’s possible that these bureaus can contain inaccurate information. For example, there may be duplicate accounts listed on one of the credit bureau websites, which may negatively affect your credit report.
For this reason, it is critical that you confirm the accuracy of your credit report a few months before you begin the homebuying process. Any corrections can take a few months to process, so you’ll want to allow ample time for your changes to take effect.
Define How Much You Can Realistically Spend on Your Home
One of the biggest issues in homebuying stems from people attempting to purchase a home which is well outside of their means. We all have an idea of our “dream home”, but we need to understand that we will likely never actually purchase such a home. In reality, we are much more likely to buy a reasonably priced home on which we can make manageable mortgage payments for years to come.
Spending too much on a home is a recipe for disaster, and often leads to a phenomenon known as homebuyer’s remorse. This is essentially a feeling of regret that you picked the wrong home, spent too much money, bought in the wrong location, etc.
So, before moving forward with your homebuying process, ensure that you take the time to thoroughly define your budget. You should have a maximum value that you can afford in your mind, and you should not exceed this number under any circumstances.
Seek Pre-Approval
Defining your budget and determining what you can afford is an essential step, but it’s also a good idea to get pre-approved before you get too far into the homebuying process.
Pre-approval is a quick and easy way to get a realistic picture of homes you’ll be able to afford. Furthermore, it will force you to organize all of the necessary paperwork so that you are ready to go when the time comes to apply for your mortgage.
Tour Your Potential Neighborhoods
Wherever you end up living, it’s likely that you’ll be there for many years. Therefore, it’s a good idea to take a close look at your new neighborhood. Are there parks nearby? Is your house close to the bus line? What are the schools in the area like?
These are all questions that you can get a feel for by touring the neighborhood and talking to the current residents.
Conclusion
Following the above 4 steps is a surefire way to ensure homebuying success. However, you should also consider working with a mortgage professional. A mortgage expert can steer you in the right direction and help you get into the home of your dreams! The experts at Rex Homes can already save you one step with this helpful guide on their website here: https://blog.rexhomes.com/success-when-buying/s