GET PREPARED TO BUY NEXT YEAR IN 5 SIMPLE STEPS!

Assess Your Financial Situation

Take an honest look at your income, your savings, and your debt…a real, honest look. What are you paying in rent now? Could you own a home for the same amount? How should you file your taxes? Figure in all monthly income and monthly expenses as well as short and long-term debt before moving forward. Keep in mind that a house may have additional maintenance and utility bills your current rental property may not have. Your Mortgage Professional will counsel you on these expenses. Once you know what you can realistically afford and are comfortable with that, move on to the next step.

Know Your Credit Score

One of the most important steps towards home ownership and your future is learning about and managing your credit. Interest rates and loan options can vary greatly based solely on a credit score. Your mortgage professional should be able to educate you on these things. You can also pull your credit yourself at www.experian.com. Make sure you pay for all three credit bureaus; it’s about $40 and well worth it. Once you have this information, don’t start closing or disputing items without the assistance of a professional.

Manage your Credit

When you have decided you are able to buy a house, stop everything you are doing financially, and credit-wise. Don’t apply for any new credit. Don’t apply to buy furniture for your new house, even if it is 12 months no interest. Don’t close any credit cards. And please, Don’t get a car loan, or boat loan, or even a scooter loan. You just may apply yourself right out of the house-buying market.

Find People You Know, Like, and Trust

Before you do anything else, find people you know, like, and trust to be your Mortgage Professional and your Real Estate Professional. If you don’t know anyone that fits that bill, get strong referrals from friends, family, or co-workers. The answer you should get when you asking, should be: “You gotta use (Kevin and Peter) don’t use anyone else!” If they would trust that person help their own grandmother, you should be safe.

Pre-Approval

Now that you are confident in your financial situation, have chosen the professionals you trust, know your credit and understand it, and have stopped all extra-curricular credit applications, it’s time to get pre-approved!  Pre-Approval is the step your Mortgage Professional takes by completing an application, gathering all your financial documents, and submitting your file for pre-approval.  You will then know exactly what you can afford so you and your Real Estate Professional can begin the house hunting process.  Then the real fun begins!

KEVIN TEEL
SENIOR MORTGAGE ADVISOR
kteel@mac5m.com
303.709.3328
nmls 207117 comb 10021250