There is a bit of distance between wanting to buy a house and being ready to buy a house. Jump into buying a house too early, and you may not be able to afford the house you want – or afford the house you buy.
I was happy, then, to see this article from Realtor.com that breaks down seven steps potential buyers should take before they get to Step 8: Looking at homes. The first three steps may seem like a drag, but trust me, this homework pays off in the end. Let’s preview these steps.
Step One: Credit Score
The better your credit score, the better the mortgage you’ll be offered by your lender. You can boost your score by paying your bills on time, limiting how much debt you carry, and repairing mistakes you find on your report.
Step Two: Savings
You know buying a house costs a lot of money, but you may not realize how much you need up front. You’ll need to save for a down payment and for closing costs. You’ll feel better throughout the process if you’re resting on a financial cushion.
Step Three: Budget
How much does it cost to live your life? Figure out your monthly bills – that’s everything from rent to food to entertainment to loans. Add it all up to figure out how much mortgage you can afford each month.
And then go back to Step Two – see where you can trim your budget so you can start saving.
Check out the full article for the other four steps. And when you get to Step 7, “Work with a great Realtor,” make sure you give me a call!
Hughesville MD Homes for Sale and Real Estate Services in Southern Maryland. You now have a search engine to help you with your Southern Maryland home search! And I’m ready to provide you with a custom home valuation if you’re considering selling your home. Let’s connect to discuss how I can help you. Contact Kimberly Bean at 301-440-1309
