Buying a home is still considered a key aspect of the American dream. As a first-time buyer, you have access to state programs, tax breaks, and federally backed loans that encourage new entrants into the real estate market.
Here’s why purchasing a home is one of the best decisions you can make for your long-term financial security:
You don’t have to put off buying your dream home. Most first-time buyers put down 5% or less of a down payment. Home prices will be going up, so now is the time to see if you are homebuyer ready!
“Andy helped my wife and I buy both our first condo and our first house. Both times, Andy spent lots of time with us to help us understand our options. He explained things well, helping us to understand how much we could afford. He worked with us to make the process smooth and easy.”
~ Luke S.
“Andy Sikora took the time to come to my home to discuss with me how to improve my credit score so I would be able to purchase my first home. We set up an action plan to accomplish cleaning up my credit, and it worked! I would highly recommend Colonial Mortgage Capital. They ROCK!!!”
- Amanda M.
When you are searching for a home within your budget, chances are you won’t be able to find that perfect home with everything on your wish list. You can, however, own an affordable property that grows with you and checks off your most important requirements.
It’s all too easy to jump into buying a home when you aren’t financially ready for the payments or mentally prepared for the responsibility. Make sure you’re truly prepared to take the leap into homeownership before you start touring homes with your realtor.
Although putting down a more substantial down payment will reduce the amount you have to borrow, it isn’t always the best option, particularly for first-time homebuyers. By the time you save up enough for the 20% down payment, home prices will rise, and you’ll no longer be able to afford the property. There are several low and no down payment options available to help you afford to buy a home soon than you think.
Finding an affordable long-term home can be incredibly overwhelming, especially if you have to make all the decisions by yourself. A realtor will guide you through the process, find properties within your budget, and help you avoid making costly mistakes. A good realtor knows your market and can provide you with insights that you can’t find online.
Once you have negotiated the terms of the purchase of your new home, it’s wise to hire a home inspector to ensure the home is in good condition. If there are significant issues with the home, you can negotiate to have the seller either make the needed repairs or provide you with a closing cost credit so that you will have money to make the repairs when you move in.
If your new home is in a community with an HOA or condo association, the seller is required to provide you with the association’s financial documents and requirements and restrictions for the neighborhood. You will have 72 hours to review these documents to confirm that the requirements and financial condition is acceptable to you. If not, you can get out of the contract and keep your earnest money deposit. If you have any concerns, consider talking to current residents to see how they feel about the neighborhood.
Before you start visiting open houses, download our free guide, 7 Mistakes To Avoid When Buying Your Dream Home. In this guide, you’ll learn the top mistakes homebuyers make as they go through the home buying and mortgage process, as well as simple steps to avoid making them yourself.
We can help you select the best way to purchase a property that meets your needs while staying within your budget.
Your financing options may include the following types of loan programs: Conventional, First-time Buyer, Jumbo (non-conforming), Government Loans (VA, USDA, FHA), Interest Only, Asset Depletion, Cash-flow Self-Employed, Adjustable and Fixed Rate loans.
When researching the best loan options for your financial situation and lifestyle, you’ll need to consider several factors, including how many years you plan to stay in the home, tax benefits, risk tolerance, and alternative uses for your money. Use this chart to determine what loan program you might qualify for.