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A common rule of thumb used by lenders in determining mortgage affordability is for the estimated mortgage payment to be no more than 28% of a borrower's monthly gross income. If you purchased discount points for your mortgage, essentially pre-paying your interest, these are also deductible. Some states and municipalities may offer mortgage credit certification, which allows first-time home buyers to claim a tax credit for some of the mortgage interest paid. Check with your Realtor and local government to see if this credit applies to you. One of the most important contributing factors to the amount of money you’ll need as a first-time homebuyer comes down to your credit score.

Your lender may be able to save you time by providing specific action steps. Applying for a mortgage may be less appealing than touring homes. But getting fully pre-approved before house hunting is vital. The resale value of a home is a fairly good indicator of whether you’ll be able to recoup your investment. In other words, will you be able to sell your home fairly quickly and at a price close to what you paid?
Key considerations when buying a house or condo for the first time
They might rent it or even sell it when home price is very high in the market. Today 2BHK in a city like Mumbai could cost you over Rs 2 Crore and 3BHK is over Rs 3 Crore. Hence, considering your budget, the first priority is you decide whether you will be purchasing home outright or take a loan and pay in instalments. When you're ready to start a family, you're going to want a few extra rooms, and that can get expensive with rising rental rates. A yard also provides a safe place for Junior to play or for a dog to scamper around.
Raising your score even a few points before you buy a house could potentially save you thousands in interest charges, so it’s worth your time. Understanding a home's sales history and other aspects of its personal history can help you make an informed decision about whether you want to buy it. For example, the last selling price of the home can give you an idea of whether the current asking price is fair.
First Buyer Checklist: 11 Things to Know when Buying a Home
Consider getting pre-approved for a loan before placing an offer on a home. In many instances, sellers will not even entertain an offer that’s not accompanied by a mortgage pre-approval. You do this by applying for a mortgage and completing the necessary paperwork.

When speaking with potential agents, ask about their experience helping first-time home buyers in your market and how they plan to help you find a home. You might also ask how they find homes that aren't yet on the market, which can be a handy skill when buyer competition is fierce. The holidays are fast approaching and your credit score might not get you the best mortgage rate. Is your credit card maxed out because of all your holiday debt? When you get pre-approved for a mortgage, you must provide your lender with all your credit history and income information to get approved.
It’s important to budget for all your housing costs
Perhaps most importantly, they’ll be instrumental in price negotiations and drawing up your purchase contract. Your agent will help you craft the most competitive offer possible within your budget and terms. A good first start is to use a mortgage calculator with taxes and insurance to estimate your monthly payment. Average closing costs typically range from 3% to 5% of the loan amount.
There are also several different types of specialized home inspections you should consider before buying a home. Many sellers hire a professional to help them stage their home. Be careful to not let a home that’s super cute (or super ugly!) on the surface sway you too heavily. It pays to shop around for a home loan, but saving money is only one of the benefits. Check out MovingWaldo’s free moving app that will save you up to 10 hours of paperwork.
But first-time homebuyers enjoy some special advantages created to encourage new entrants into the real estate market. When it comes to renting, surprises don't require much emotional investment. If the toilet breaks, it's time to start reading Yelp reviews. And if property taxes unexpectedly rise, it's on you to appeal or pay up. Then, add 3% to 6% more for closing costs, which will vary based on where you live and what taxes your state and city require you to pay.
What might look like a light fixer-upper at first could turn into a money pit all too fast. Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make in your life. At HomeLight, our vision is a world where every real estate transaction is simple, certain, and satisfying.
Work with your real estate agent to understand the local market and strategize accordingly. Tax credits are also available through some first-time home buyer programs. Home affordability calculator can help with setting a price range based on your income, debt, down payment, credit score and where you plan to live.
You have to decide whether you are going to pay in 10 years or 20 years. Hence, get a mortgage calculator, you could get it for free on various websites of banks. Americans in large and small cities throughout the country share the dream of homeownership. Many people are excited to purchase a home of their own someday, but going through the first-time home-buying process can be intimidating.
As a homebuyer, you need to know upfront what your maximum potential is for closing costs. It is a worthwhile investment to hire an inspector to check over any home you’re interested in buying. Even a brand new home is likely to have at least one issue in need of resolving. Some people are drawn to foreclosures and the possible savings they represent. If you’re wondering whether it’s a good idea to buy a house in foreclosure, the answer to that depends on a few factors.
Moving is often synonymous of stress, long administrative tasks and a significant waste of time and money. MovingWaldo helps you solve all these problems in just a few clicks! After some shameless self-promotion, we invite you to discover our free moving tools available to all. Assess your affordability, your financial well-being, and life plans. The approved amount relies on the value of your home, and the down-payment amount. Check your buying power by getting pre-qualified for a mortgage with us at Zillow Home Loans.