Christmas is right around the corner, and the New Year is coming up! It’s the time of the year to start over and begin working on your goals. If your goal in 2018 is to own your first home, we’ve compiled 4 essential tips to begin.
Owning a home is a solid financial decision. It’s an investment that earns you equity and improves your happiness. Part of loving where you live is loving the home you’re in, which is what we want to help you with.
Continue reading to learn more about the four essential “first steps” towards owning a home in 2018.
Check Out Your Finances
Though this part isn’t as fun as looking at homes on the MLS, it’s an important first step to owning a home. Thoroughly review all of your finances, including your annual income, savings, and tax information, to determine if you can afford to buy a home.
Be as thorough as possible, and feel free to play around with our mortgage calculator to get a feel for what your monthly payment might look like.
Figure Out Your Dream Area
The fun part! Where do you want to live? If you’re moving for work, be sure to explore local neighborhoods that are conveniently located near your future job site. If you’re seeking a change of scenery, do some digging to see which area is best for you.
We offer complimentary local area guides to help you explore the wonderful communities of Oakland and Wayne Counties! Have a question about a particular area? Please let us know!
Get Pre-Approved For a Mortgage
You’ve reviewed your finances and found your dream community, now it’s time to get to work. Schedule a meeting with a lender at your bank of choice to determine what kind of home you can afford. We recommend shopping around a little, getting estimates from different lending agents to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
Becoming pre-approved for a mortgage is a great way to determine your budget, because it lets you know how much the bank is willing to loan you. With a lending officer, you’ll sit down and review every aspect of your financial situation. Afterwards, you can enter the real estate world as a more competitive buyer.
When you’re pre-approved, home-sellers know that you’re serious about buying a home and are more likely to prioritize your offer.
Find the Right Agent
Any real estate agent can buy you a home, but the right agent will do everything in their power to ensure all of your needs are met. The right agent will make or break your home-buying experience, and hopefully save you a few headaches and stressful moments as you find your dream home.
When you choose to work with The Knight Team, you’re enlisting the help of local experts who will stop at nothing to achieve your goals.
You don’t have to take our word for it! Take a look at some of our past client testimonials to get a good feel for how we work. If you’re reading to begin planning for 2018, please give us a call at (734) 738-2958.
