Just a few years ago, home ownership was within the reach for just about anyone with reliable income and decent credit. But the economy has undergone massive changes since then. Today, those who wish to buy a home must have a good credit history and prove that they can afford the home to the satisfaction of the lender.
That’s not to say that it’s no longer possible to buy your dream home. It just means that you’ll need to plan and be better prepared for it. Here’re 10 guidelines to help you buy the home that you’ve always wanted.
10 Guidelines for Buying Your Dream Home
#1: Be Patient
Few people are able to buy their dream home at a young age. You may have to rent for a few years or buy a less expensive home first. The money that you save on mortgage payments can be put away to use when you are ready to take the plunge.
#2: Save up for a Down Payment
These days it’s much less common to be able to buy a home without a down payment than it was in the early 2000s.
And even if that is an option, it’s not a particularly good one. Saving up a down payment not only reduces the amount of money you’ll have to borrow when you buy your dream home, it shows lenders that you have discipline and gives them the confidence to offer a lower interest rate.
#3: Keep Your Priorities Straight
When you’re trying to save up a down payment for a home, it’s tempting to put every available penny toward it. But before you do that, it’s crucial that you save up an emergency fund with enough money for three to six months’ worth of expenses. That way if you run into financial problems, you won’t have to dip into your down payment fund. It’s also important to continue to make regular contributions to your retirement funds and your children’s education funds.
#4: Keep Your Credit in Good Shape
Getting a mortgage today requires excellent credit and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon. So even if it will be several years before you are able to buy your dream home, it’s important to keep your credit spotless starting now. If you’ve had delinquencies in the past, paying bills on time going forward will minimize their effect. And if your credit has always been perfect, keeping it that way will get you the best possible interest rate.
#5: Know What You Want
A dream home means different things to different people. Some folks aren’t even sure what they want in a home – they just want the biggest home, or the newest one, or the one with a swimming pool.
Take the time to sit down and make a list of the attributes you really want to see in your dream home. How many bedrooms does it have? How much living space? What kind of flooring, counter-tops and fixtures? Sorting out the things that are most important will help you avoid spending more than you need.
#6: Be Flexible
It’s just as important to know what you can do without as it is to know what you want. If you were to find a home that had everything you were looking for except just one thing, and the price was right, would that one thing be a deal-breaker? Or would you consider doing some remodeling after you buy? There’s no right or wrong answer to this question, but know that the more flexible you are, the better your chances of saving money.
#7: Know What You Can Afford
One of the issues that contributed to the mortgage crisis was the willingness of lenders to finance homes that the buyers could not really afford. Lenders are more careful these days, but some will still finance homes that do not fit comfortably within the buyer’s budget.
Remember that just because a lender says you can afford a home, that doesn’t mean that you necessarily can.
It’s up to you to carefully evaluate your income and expenses and decide how much you can honestly afford to pay toward housing each month.
#8: Shop Around for Mortgages
When you’re ready to buy, check the rates with several different mortgage lenders. The lower the interest rate you can get, the less you’ll end up paying when it’s all said and done. Even those with impeccable credit will receive different quotes from different lenders, so don’t just go with the first one that gives you a rate that sounds good.
#9: Negotiate With the Seller
Once you find a home that you love, try to negotiate a lower price with the seller. When it comes to real estate, most sellers are willing to make concessions on price. In fact, they often set the price higher than what they expect to get for the home to allow for this. Make an offer and see if it is accepted. If not, the buyer may make a counteroffer. The offers can go back and forth until you come to a price you both agree on.
#10: Negotiate With the Lender
Don’t be afraid to ask the lender for a better deal. It’s in their best interest to come up with something that you will agree to. Most lenders offer a number of different loan options, so if you’re looking to lower closing costs or monthly payments, there’s a good chance that they can help.
Buying your dream home is an exciting experience although it takes some due diligence on your part. I hope that these tips will help make your home-buying experience a little bit simpler and more affordable.
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To your Health, Wealth and Freedom!
Millen Livis
