As a first-time home buyer, you start by saving up money for the down payment for your very first home. While you may have spent years saving, you probably have hundreds of questions racing through your heard and feel more stressed than you should.
Here are some tips to help you with the process of getting rid of your landlord and living in your own place:
1. Pre-qualify for a loan
Being pre-qualified for a loan determines how much house you can afford. It also allows you to move more swiftly when you find the right house, especially when you aren’t the only interested buyer.
2. Shop for mortgage rates and terms
A difference of even half a percentage point can make a huge difference in how much you pay over the life of a loan. For example, the difference in the monthly payment on a $100,000 mortgage at 8 percent vs. 7.5 percent is about $35 per month. Over 30 years, that’s $12,600.
3. Use a buyer’s agent
A buyer’s agent is legally responsible for representing the buyer’s interest in a real estate transaction. Generally, the buyer’s agent is compensated by the seller at the time you purchase a new home. There are some limitations to using a buyer’s agent, however. Before you decide, have a Realtor explain the advantages and disadvantages of using a buyer agent.
4. Determine features that help or hurt resale value
In some areas, a swimming pool actually detracts from a home’s value and makes the home harder to sell. In neighborhoods with two-car, attached garages, a single-car or detached garage may impact the home sale and future value. Your Realtor can point out features that hurt, as well as those that help, resale value.
5. Rate the houses you tour
After touring each home, write down what you liked and didn’t like. Develop a rating system which will help you narrow the field down to the house that’s the best for you. Whether you have spent years saving and preparing to buy a home, or you still aren’t sure if it is something you can even dream of, the questions surrounding a first-time home purchase can feel endless.
These are just a few tips to help you purchase your first home. As your Smyrna Vinings real estate experts, we are here to help. Our knowledgeable and professional team works with you to not only understand the process and answer your questions, but to help you develop a strategy to find your new home. In today’s environment of low inventory and lots of buyers, you need every advantage that you can get. Contact us today to schedule your first-time homebuyer bootcamp where we’ll go over the secret tips that have helped hundreds of our clients. And when you’re ready, click here to start your Smyrna Vinings home search.