The latest in entertainment Hide caption Get your finances ready Getting your personal finances in order is a crucial part of a smooth home-buying process. Now’s the time to figure out what price range is affordable for you, how large a down payment you can make and whether you’ll need to work on building your credit score. Research these questions early on and you’ll be starting your home-buying journey

Get your finances ready

Getting your personal finances in order is a crucial part of a smooth home-buying process. Now’s the time to figure out what price range is affordable for you, how large a down payment you can make and whether you’ll need to work on building your credit score. Research these questions early on and you’ll be starting your home-buying journey on the right foot.

[ ] Decide how much you can save for a down payment

[ ] Check your credit score. (A higher score could help you get a lower interest rate.)

[ ] Figure out how much house you can afford

Find the best mortgage type for you

Adjustable-rate (ARM) or fixed-rate? Government-backed or conventional? Before you decide which type of mortgage to pursue, it’s important to learn the advantages and drawbacks of each one. Choosing the right type of mortgage can boost your chances of approval or save you thousands in the long run. Next, you can get a clearer picture of your financial commitment by estimating your monthly mortgage payment, including interest and additional costs.

[ ] Learn how to choose the best mortgage

[ ] Determine if a conventional or government-backed loan is right for you

[ ] Decide whether an ARM or fixed-rate loan better fits your needs

[ ] Choose whether you want a 10-, 15-, 20- or 30-year loan

[ ] Calculate your monthly mortgage payment

Find the right mortgage lender

Choosing a mortgage is a long-term commitment, so it’s worth your time to shop around for the best mortgage lender. Be sure to ask which fees you’ll be responsible for paying at closing, as the answer varies by lender. Keep an eye on current mortgage rates and compare multiple lenders so you can be confident that you’re getting the best deal.

[ ] Check current mortgage rates

[ ] Compare at least three lenders

Get preapproved for a mortgage

Working with a lender to get preapproved for a mortgage is an important step in accurately determining your budget. A preapproval letter shows sellers and real estate agents that you’re a serious buyer and can give you a crucial edge over competing home shoppers. Keep in mind that a preapproval letter is typically valid for only 60 to 90 days, after which it will need to be updated.

Pick your property

Now for the fun part: shopping for your home. Is a good school district important to you? Access to public transportation? Can’t live without a big yard? Figuring out which home features you can and can’t live without is as important as choosing a great neighborhood. Working with the right real estate agent can help you navigate these questions and get you ready to make an offer.

[ ] Find the right real estate agent

[ ] Choose the right neighborhood

[ ] Decide which features matter to you (number of bedrooms, yard size)

[ ] Make an offer

Submit your mortgage application

Do you have all of these documents ready?

[ ] W-2 forms from the past two years

[ ] Pay stubs from the past 30 days

[ ] Proof of other sources of income

[ ] Federal tax returns from the past two years

[ ] Recent bank statements

[ ] Details on long-term debts like car or student loans

[ ] ID and Social Security number

Close on your home

This is the home stretch! Getting familiar with the standard closing documents ahead of time can make the process less daunting. By this point, you should also know what you’ll owe when you sit down to close so you won’t be caught off guard by closing costs — some of which may be negotiable.

[ ] Find out what costs to expect at closing

[ ] Learn which documents you’ll encounter

[ ] Negotiate for the seller (or even the lender) to pay some of the closing costs or other prepaid items, such as taxes

 

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