Roadmap to Buying a Home

YOUR ROADMAP TO BUYING A HOME GET YOUR FINANCES IN ORDER Strengthen your credit for a better interest rate GET PRE-APPROVED 2 Apply to several lenders Sellers love buyers who are pre-approved SHOP FOR YOUR MORTGAGE 3 Know how much you can afford before falling in love with a home you can't afford Think about how much of a down payment you are able to afford Consider how much your monthly payments will be 4 SEE IF YOU QUALIFY FOR FIRST TIME BUYERS PRO GRAMS These often have a lower down payment requirement FIND A GOOD REAL ESTAT E AGENT 5 Your agent should be qualified, open, interested and confident 6 START LOOKING FOR HOUSES You can typically afford a house 2.5 times your yearly household income CONSIDER YOUR NEEDS Consider what your family will need in several years Consider what you would be willing to compromise on (location, size, age, etc.) VISIT A FEW HOMES IN PERSON 8 Check the overall layout, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, kitchen appliances and storage space Visit at various times of day to check traffic around the home, noise levels, and other activities LOOK AT OTHER HOMES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD See if the home you are considering is more or less expensive than others in the surrounding area Never buy the most expensive home in the area MAKE AN OFFER ON A HOME 10 If possible, tailor the offer to the seller's circumstances. 11 FINALIZE THE DEAL Request a home inspection to survey the area for pests, rot, needed repairs, foundation problems, etc. 12 CLOSE ON THE DEAL 12 CONGRATULATIONS! YOU'RE A HOMEOWNER! Castle 8 Cooke Mortgage= LLC NMLS #1251 We know a quicker way home EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY http://www.wikihow.com/Buy-a-house