Thinking About Buying A House This Summer? Start Preparing Now
If you are planning to buy a home in the summer, it would be good to get some things done before you even start looking. It takes a lot more to shop for a home than browsing online and going to showings. Planning in advance will help you a great deal later when it's time to sign the contract. Saving for the down payment, checking your credit report and getting a pre-approval are all parts of the prep work.
Saving for the down payment
Even if it’s true that a 5% down payment can get you a mortgage, it’s far better to come up with more. Bigger down payments will work in your favor in multiple ways. First of all, lenders will be more willing to take you as a serious candidate, and second, the CHMC insurance and interest rates will be lower which saves money in the long run. Since the introduction of the new mortgage stress tests, lenders have become more careful in their selection process, which means you need every advantage you can get. The more money you lay aside for a down payment, the smaller your mortgage balance. It’s never too early to start saving for it.
Research the real estate market
The real estate market is not fixed and prices differ from season to season and from community to community. You need to know how much house you can get and where for the money you have. Which location seems to fit you but is not over your budget? Are you willing to pay more for a good location, even if the home might not be in top condition? Explore neighborhoods to find out which street suits you and show up at open houses sometimes just to get an idea of the differences between online ads and homes in reality.
Credit report
You should request a credit report before the lender does. Credit reports are not always accurate and it will give you time to report any mistakes and slips made in your report. It's important that the lender gets an updated and accurate version when you apply for a pre-approval.
Talk to lenders
Gather information from all relevant parties, including the lenders' office. Make sure you know what awaits you when you apply for a mortgage and what will be taken into consideration. The lender can tell you how your credit report will impact the mortgage. If your debt to income ratio is not satisfying, it can result in higher interest rates. It's important to know these things in advance, so you can start working on reducing your debt and increasing your odds with the lender when the time comes to apply for a mortgage.
Start looking for an agent
One may think that an agent can be found on every corner, but you’ll have to dig deep to find a good one. Agent shopping is not that uncommon anymore and you have the right to interview as many as you want until you make your decision. Focus on their references, experience and input before you pick one.