Category: Buying

Getting pre-approved is a crucial first step when buying a home. It tells you how much you can spend on a home between your down payment and the approved loan amount. Sometimes, though, the pre-approval amount is lower than what you expect, throwing a wrench in your plans.

Here are five ways to increase your pre-approval amount if this happens to you.

Continue reading “5 Tips to Get Pre-Approved for a Higher Loan Amount”

Very rarely do people have the cash to buy a house in full. Most borrowers must put money down on a home to purchase it, known as a down payment. Lenders make up the difference with a mortgage loan, using your new home as security until your mortgage is paid off. Many borrowers qualify to put down less than 20% on a home but must pay mortgage insurance.

When you put more than 20% down, this insurance is not mandatory. Understanding how mortgage insurance works and whether you should make a 20% down payment is very important when buying a home.

Continue reading “How Much Do I Need For A Down Payment To Buy A House?”

Whether you’re currently in the process of looking for your first home, or have just started to think about it, I have some first-time homebuyer tips to help make your journey as easy as possible!

Get Pre-Approved

Having your mortgage pre-approved is an important step in the process and benefits you in three ways:

Continue reading “Don’t Get Spooked! First-Time Homebuyer Tips”

Building a new home is an exciting adventure but requires very different considerations. To help you have the best experience, here are 5 of the most important things to consider:

Continue reading “5 Things to Consider When Building Your Own Home”

If you are dreaming of your very own vacation home, there are ways to make it happen!

Continue reading “Dreaming of a HomeAway From Home?”

So! You think you’ve found your dream home, and you can’t wait to check it out in person. Before you go, here are a few things that are important to look out for during a home tour:

Continue reading “What to Look for During a Home Tour”

Step 1 – Your Credit Score

Whether you qualify for a mortgage through a bank, credit union or other financial institution, you should be aiming for a credit score of 680 for at least one borrower (or guarantor), especially if you are putting under 20% down. If you are able to make a larger down payment of 20% or more, then a score of 680 is not required.

Continue reading “7 Steps for Mortgage Prep”

While home inspections might not be the most exciting part of your home buying journey, they are extremely important and can save you money and a major headache in the long run.

In a competitive housing market, there can sometimes be pressure to make an offer right away without conditions. However, no matter how competitive a market may be, you should never skip out on things designed for buyer protection – such as a home inspection.

Continue reading “Why Invest in a Home Inspection”

When it comes to finding your perfect home, there are so many more options for potential homeowners! From a single-family dwelling to a townhouse to a modular home, the choices are seemingly endless. But, before you start widening your search, let’s take a look at what makes these home types different – and which one is perfect for you!

Continue reading “Finding Your Perfect Home Type”

As a first-time buyer, I am here to give you some tips on homebuyer mistakes to be on the lookout for so you can avoid them for the best experience possible!

Thinking You Don’t Need a Real Estate Agent

You might be able to find a house on your own, but there are still many aspects of buying real estate that can confuse a first-time buyer. Rely on your agent to negotiate offers, inspections, financing and other details. The money you would have saved on commission can be quickly gobbled up by a botched offer or overlooked repairs.

Continue reading “Avoid These First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes”