Are you ready to finally buy your first home? Homeownership is a wonderful milestone in life, and there’s no better time than now to take the plunge. The housing market is strong right now, providing potential buyers with an ideal opportunity to buy their first home.
If you’ve been delaying buying a house because of student loan debt or other financial obligations, this could be the perfect time to take that step. With a solid job and some savvy planning, buying your first home shouldn’t be too scary. Keep reading for some great advice on how to buy your first house and become a homeowner.
Research your options
First, it’s important to understand your options when it comes to buying a house. There are several types of mortgages you should know about, knowing the differences and finding a company that helps will help you make the right decision for your unique situation.
Some of the things to consider when researching mortgage types include interest rates, fees, and monthly payment amounts. There are also different types of down payment options to consider, including a 5% or 10% down payment or even a zero-down loan.
You will also want to research your local housing market to see what kinds of homes are available in your price range. This will give you much information about what kind of a house you can afford based on your budget.
Don’t overextend yourself
A common mistake that people make is overextending themselves. It’s easy to forget the important things when you’re excited about owning your own home, but you need to make sure you are buying within your budget. Never buy a house you can’t afford just so you can be “house poor” and struggle to make your mortgage payment each month.
If you don’t have a substantial amount of cash saved up for a down payment, you may have to take out a mortgage. Avoid taking on a mortgage that is too expensive, or you will struggle to keep up with the payments.
Find a trustworthy lender
If you are financing your mortgage, it’s important to find a trustworthy lender to help you secure a loan. There are many different types of lenders out there, and many of them specialize in financing mortgages for first-time homebuyers.
Start by applying for a mortgage pre-approval. This is a process in which your lender will review your credit history and current financial situation to determine how much you qualify to borrow.
Now you know for sure how much you can spend on a house. Find a lender who will work with you and provide you with the assistance you need to get approved for a mortgage. This may include recommending a mortgage type that is best for your situation. You want to make sure you are getting the right type of loan for your situation.
Decide on your mortgage type
There are a few different types of mortgages that first-time homebuyers typically choose from. The type of mortgage you decide to go with will depend on your financial situation and how much you can afford to spend on a house.
Some of the most common types of mortgages include:
- Standard mortgage: This is one of the most common types of home loans and is suitable for most people. Standard mortgages are available to most people and are generally easy to get approved for. They also offer a variety of different repayment plans. You should also take a look into wholesale loans, which have helped many people purchased their first homes.
- FHA mortgage: FHA mortgages are government-backed loans that are usually easier to get approved for than a standard mortgage. FHA mortgages are good options for people with less than-perfect credit, such as people with student loan debt or a history of credit card debt.
- VA mortgage: Veterans are eligible for a special type of mortgage called a VA mortgage. VA mortgages are designed to make homeownership more accessible to veterans and are often easier to get approved for than a standard mortgage. Veterans can also be eligible for additional benefits and/or compensation such as disability benefits if they have been injured in the line of duty. A VA calculator can help to estimate what they may be entitled to. Any additional benefits like these can be useful to help bring the cost of the monthly mortgage payments down.
Know your budget — and stay within it
When you decide on a mortgage type and get pre-approved for a loan, you will receive a projected budget that shows how much you can afford to spend on a house. It’s important to keep this budget in mind and try to stay as close to it as possible. A online platform like Wright Homes where you can learn more about model homes, floor plans, etc. will be really useful for you.
This will help you avoid getting house poor and make sure you have enough money left over to cover your regular expenses and debt payments. When you are pre-approved for a loan, make sure you use the budget that shows your monthly mortgage payment.
And this will give you a better idea of what your finances would look like if you bought a house and made that monthly payment. It can also help you figure out if you have enough money saved up for a down payment.
Find the right real estate agent for you
Before you start house hunting, it’s a good idea to find a real estate agent. A real estate agent can help you find the right home and guide you through the buying process. It’s important to find an agent who matches your needs and know what to do.
Find out which real estate agents in your area are members of the National Association of Realtors. This means they have signed a code of ethics and are held to a high standard of professionalism.
It also means they are required to provide you with basic information about the buying process, help you shop around for a mortgage, and disclose any potential conflicts of interest. Find out which real estate agents specialize in first-time homebuyers. This will give you a better idea of who to go with and what to expect.
Lock in your interest rate
As the housing market is hot right now, there is a chance you will find a great deal on the house and want to act quickly. However, if you don’t have a mortgage pre-approved yet, you could be locked out of the best deals.
This is why it’s important to lock in your interest rate as soon as you know what mortgage type you plan on getting. You can do this by getting pre-approved for a mortgage. Once you get it, you can start shopping around for the best rates.
Once you find a lender and a mortgage type that works for you, you can lock in that interest rate before you apply for the loan. This will help ensure that you get the best deal on the house and don’t miss out on a great opportunity.
Summing up
Homeownership is a milestone that most people will celebrate at some point in their lives. And while buying a house can be a big and scary step, it’s an important milestone. Also, it’s an investment that will pay off in the long run. You should now have a better idea of how to buy your first house as a millennial.
Make sure you do your research and shop around for the best mortgage types to fit your financial situation. Stay within your budget, and make sure to find a trustworthy lender when financing your mortgage.
Find the right real estate agent who specializes in working with first-time homebuyers. And make sure you lock in your interest rate as soon as you find a lender you like. This will ensure that you get the best rate possible and can move forward with your house hunt as quickly as possible.