Buying a house is a pivotal and often life-changing moment in anyone’s life. There’s a lot that goes into it, and if you’re a first-time home buyer, it can all seem a little overwhelming.
That’s why we put together this comprehensive guide full of information you need to find the house of your dreams. We break down everything from defining what a mortgage is to looking into homeowners insurance all the way up to the day you finally sign.
So, if you’re unsure just where to begin on this new and exciting chapter in your life, don’t worry! Let us help you find a home you can call your own by providing you with all the information you need to make an informed decision.
If you’re like most home buyers, you aren’t walking around with a couple hundred-thousand dollars to purchase a house outright. Rather, a mortgage covers the cost of your home, and you pay it back over the course of several years.
When you take out a mortgage on a house, you’re essentially telling the bank to cover 100% of the house’s cost. The understanding between you and the bank is that, over time and on an agreed upon rate, you will pay the bank back.
Similar to leasing or purchasing a car, you also have the option to put a down payment on your home to help reduce the amount you’ll owe back over time. That’s when you put some of your own money forward.
In recent years, prospective homeowners have gravitated away from traditional brick-and-mortar banks when looking for loans:
Mortgage brokers are like your personal guides into the complex world of loans. They can often show you a variety of loan opportunities and work to help you find rates and programs that fit your specific financial situation.
If you don’t have the greatest credit history, then non-bank lenders might be a better alternative. They are often more willing to work with you even if the banks won’t.
Another great option for potential borrowers with not-so-great credit is a credit union. Not only are these organizations willing to work with you, but you could also save money as they are known to offer lower fees. One caveat: Credit unions typically have membership restrictions, so inquire about becoming a member first. Now that we know all the different places you can find a mortgage, let’s talk about some crucial questions you should come prepared to ask any lender.
A lower interest rate on your mortgage often means you’ll have a smaller monthly payment. This, however, is determined by your loan and your credit. If you don’t have the best credit history, you might need to work on that before you’ll qualify for lower interest.
The following graphics illustrate common home-buyer trends as well as how mortgage rates have changed over time:
Getting a clear answer on this will help you determine if you can afford the monthly mortgage payments in addition to your everyday budgeting needs. This will also factor into your financial goals.
If you opt for a fixed rate mortgage, then you will keep the same rate for the duration of the loan. The opposite would be an adjustable-rate mortgage, or an ARM, in which the interest rate will adjust after the intro period, usually at regular intervals.
‘Points’ are another name for closing fees. They are one-time and can decrease your interest rate depending on how many of these points you pay.
These can vary amongst the loans available to you on the market. Generally, they can require proof that you have sufficient funds to make the down payment. Others might delve deeper and seek proof that your income can handle up to half a year of mortgage payments.
There are a plethora of things you’ll need to take into account early on. Here are a few of the items you’ll need to consider:
Now that you have a better understanding of mortgages and loans, it’s time to discuss the different options on the market. Here are just a few examples of loans available to first-time home buyers:
Overall, FHA-backed loan is the most traditional type of loan program for first-time home buyers. They generally feature low closing costs and down payments. VA loans are primarily geared toward veterans and active service members. With Fannie Mae’s 97% LTV Loan, first-time home buyers could pay as little as 3% down. There are also a variety of mortgage programs under the Freddie Mac umbrella, including the Home Possible Mortgage and the Affordable Merit Rate Mortgage.
PITI is broken down into Principal + Interest, Taxes, and Insurance. These are the four parts of a mortgage payment and are crucial to understanding and building your budget.
Before you start hunting for a house, you’ll want to do your homework when it comes to home insurance. This is a crucial step in the process since, in most cases, mortgage lenders will require some proof that you’re signed on with a home insurance agency. And you need a mortgage in order to find the perfect home.
As we’ve covered in previous pieces, there are a variety of home insurance coverage options including:
So, what kind of house are you looking to call home? Do you need a lot of space for the family? How about a nice, big yard for the dog? Or maybe you’d like to have a cook-out and a deck is in order.
This is the fun part because you get to see what’s out there on the
housing market. There are lots of tools online that can help you find
available housing options in your area as well as anywhere you might be
looking to move. It might also be prudent to consider a real estate
agent before actually looking at properties.
A Realtor might be able to open up even more housing
opportunities than what you can find online. You should avoid the temptation to work the property's listing agent as there is considerable risk in doing so.
When you do find the perfect home and you’re ready to make an offer, remember to take the homeowner into consideration. For example, is the homeowner living in a situation where they would benefit from selling the home sooner than later? In that case, you might be able to put up an offer that, while comparable to other homes in the area, can afford to be discounted just a little.
A lot of first-timers stress about putting up an offer. Do you go high? Do you go low? As long as you take the time to see what other homes in the area are going for and base that against the homeowner’s needs, you should be able to come up with a reasonable offer. This is where your Realtor can really help out.
At this point, the home insurance policy should have come through, and you’ve just received word that your offer on the home has been accepted. Before you sign the contract, you’re going to want to get a home inspector.
An inspector will charge a couple of hundred dollars, but it’s well worth it to spot any defects in the home. Once the house gets the stamp of approval and you’ve reviewed the contract for any restricting stipulations, it’s time to submit your mortgage application.
Now that you’ve squared all this away, review your closing costs we covered in Step 2. If you’re satisfied, then it’s time to sign on the dotted line.
You’ll need a plethora of documentation including a photo ID as well as proof of insurance and the home inspection certificate. Be sure to get copies of every document you sign so you can review these later. Once you’ve settled up with those closing costs and signed, you’ll get your keys and can start living your new life in the home of your dreams.
