First time home buying be an exciting and daunting challenge. To streamline the process we recommend a few key steps to ensure success for first time home buyers.
- Know Your Credit Report
Your credit report is a detailed history of your current and past credit accounts and debt, third-party collections, public records and requests by lenders. By contrast, your credit score is an algorithm that measures your credit risk based on the information in your credit report. You are entitled to a free copy of your report every 12 months. We recommend obtaining a copy before you begin your search to avoid any surprises down the road. - Interview and Research People that can Help
Knowledge is power in the search for a home. Conducting online research is a great way to gather information and find the best consultants for you. Zillow and Trulia are helpful resources for finding local real estate agents and mortgage bankers. Both sites also provide in depth reviews that make it easy to pick the best representative for you. - Get Pre-Approved
Speak to a local mortgage banker to discern not only how much of a home loan you qualify for but what the payment will be on that level of financing. Finding a monthly payment you are comfortable with before you begin looking at potential homes will save you a lot of time and energy. This payment estimation is also helpful in determining your price range and can narrow the scope of your search. - Be Patient
A new home is a serious commitment, the process can be time consuming and feel downright exhausting. Patience is key to navigating the real estate market. Ralph compares the process to finding a prince charming, “it’s going to take a lot of frog kissing before you find the home of your dreams!”