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Sometimes getting ready to buy a home feels stressful. But it doesn't have to be when you take clear steps to get financially ready for the exciting world of homeownership. Here are a few quick items to consider before stepping into your new home.
Depending on the type of home loan you get, having a down payment of at least 20% can save you thousands to 10's of thousands. It's more than it might appear on paper. You save on:
You also build equity faster, so you're in a better financial situation overall.
Ideally, your mortgage payment should not be more than 25-30% of your gross monthly income. If you need assistance figuring out what that may look like or how to get a loan that works for you, contact a financial specialist. You want to make sure all of your financial affairs are in order before starting the home buying process.
You can pull all of your credit reports for free through annualcreditreport.com. Even though this isn't a dot gov site, the US federal government set this site up to provide this free access. You can verify this on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sits, which is a dot gov site.
Pulling these will allow you to resolve any discrepancies and understand how good your credit report appears to lenders. The better your credit, the better terms you may qualify for.
Depending on your current financial and personal situation, you may qualify for a:
Whether you currently own a home and want to move or are buying your first home, it's critical to take steps to secure your financial future. When you do, you can love the new home you move into, no regrets, just great times with family, friends and loved ones.
Since 1990 I've been happily helping people just like you realize their dream of home ownership, and loving every minute of it! I'm an educator by heart, so you won't feel overwhelmed with the whole process. I'll be there with you every step of the way and more! I've been where you are now more than once and I understand all the emotions and apprehensions that come with a move. If you're relocating, I will make sure you have all the information about neighborhoods, schools and services that are important to you. I am detail oriented and I have a strong background in research. I have my BA in Economics from Lewis & Clark College, and graduate studies in Counseling Psychology at St. Martin's University. I'm a graduate of the Masters Sales Academy for Realtors. I've also been an instructor for new real estate agents. I've been recognized with the National Sales Award "The Dozen" for being in the Top 5% of all Realtors & the local Realtors Thurston County Star Agent Award.