By Angie Sullivan
2018 is a wonderful year to become a Home Owner!
Home Ownership, the American Dream! You want to buy a house, but are you ready? How can you determine if you are ready? There are so many questions when it comes to home ownership.
What price can I afford? How much money do I need for a down payment? How much money do I need for closing costs? Is my credit score high enough? What will my monthly mortgage payment be? What is PMI Insurance? How much are property taxes? When do I need a real estate agent? I know it can all be overwhelming!
If you are considering purchasing a home in the next 6-18 months, these are several steps that will help you be ready when that perfect home is listed for sale!
The first step is to find a realtor you can trust with your home investment. Buying a home is one of the largest financial decisions of your life. Let a professional help you during that process.
Realtors are here to guide you in the home buying process from start to finish. A realtor is paid by the seller at closing, so there is no cost to a buyer to hire a realtor. Once you find a great realtor, they can guide and educate you about the entire process.
The second step will be to consult with a lender to obtain a pre-qualification letter. Getting Pre-Approved in advance is always a good idea. Lenders can help if there is an issue with your credit, let you know how your debt to income ratio looks, and guide you through the pre-approval process. Getting pre-approved with a lender can answers questions about your credit score, down payment amount needed, PMI Insurance, Monthly Payment, and the total home price you can afford.
As a realtor myself, I love seeing a client’s face when they find that perfect home. However, the home buying process can get stressful, but worth the outcome. Let a Licensed Realtor guide you in the entire process. A realtor can help you select properties to view, make an offer, negotiate counter offers, meet contract deadlines, assist during the loan process, and get you to closing as quickly and with as little stress as possible.
Make 2018 the year you invest in the keys to your new home.
Angela Sullivan is a licensed Broker/Owner at Heartbeat Realty in Calera, Oklahoma.