Have you been dreaming about a larger, roomier or more luxurious living space? Or perhaps just want to experience the joy of owning your own home and building your net worth instead of renting? Let’s explore a few questions that can help to answer whether or not you’re ready to buy a home.
Can You Realistically Afford To Buy A Home?
The first consideration to determine if you are ready to buy a home is a financial one: can you afford it? Buying a home is a significant financial investment. In most cases you’ll need to manage monthly mortgage payments for many years. The good news: owning a home is a more affordable than you might think. If you’re already a stable renter then you’re most of the way there. In order to determine your estimate monthly payments, try an online calculator found here and here.
Do You Have Your Down Payment Saved Up?
If you’re confident that monthly payments are no problem, then the next step is saving up enough to cover your down payment. This is a lump-sum investment that you make when you buy the home. The rest of the purchase cost is paid by your mortgage lender, who you pay back over time. Typically your down payment is around 20 percent of the home’s cost, but there are assistance programs which can reduce this further.
Do You Know What Type Of Home You Need?
Once you’ve cleared all of the financial hurdles, you will next need to decide exactly what kind of home you need. If you’re a single young professional, a condo or apartment might be the perfect starter home from which you can upgrade later. Or you might prefer something more rural which comes with more yard space, perfect for pets.
Are You Ready To Set Down Some Roots?
Finally, it’s worth taking some time to decide whether or not you’re ready to emotionally and physically invest in your local community. Is your career stable enough that you won’t be moving for at least a few years? What about that of your partner or spouse? If you don’t already, do you envision having children in the future? All of these are considerations that will help you choose the right neighborhood.
When you are ready, our professional real estate team is here to help you find the home of your dreams. To learn more about buying in our area and to view homes that are perfect for first-time buyers, contact me today.
