Consider the following advice to help you in your home-buying journey.
Save as much as you can early on
Even when you’re not yet planning on purchasing a house in the next year or two, it’s still wise to start saving early. One of the major hurdles that first-time buyers face is not having enough cash for the down payment and closing costs.
While the exact down payment amount will differ depending on your mortgage, it’s possible to pay less than the frequently cited 20%. Some buyers can pay as low as 3% or 5%. But make no mistake — those seemingly small percentages still translate to huge sums. For instance, a house priced at $400,000 with a 3% down payment will require $12,000.
In addition, closing costs are the transaction fees you need to pay to finalize a home purchase. It can range from 2% to 6% of the total loan amount.
Increase your credit score
Your credit score is crucial in qualifying for a mortgage. The higher it is, more amenable interest rates and mortgage terms can be expected.
Here are some ways to improve your chances of getting approved for a home loan:
- Check your credit reports routinely for errors that may negatively affect your overall score.
- It’s better to keep unused credit cards before you apply for a mortgage. Having long-standing credit accounts that never get close to the credit limit is a good sign from the perspective of lenders. But don’t apply for multiple cards within a short period of time.
- Consider asking a close friend or family member to designate you as an authorized user of their credit card. Any good credit history associated with them will rub off on you even if you never exercise your right to use the card.
Get to know the market
Googling homes for sale Gaithersburg MD is a start, but it’s smarter to understand the market you’re getting into.
Familiarize yourself with statistics like median home listing prices and sold prices. According to Realtor.com, Gaithersburg homes list for a median price of $510,000 but sell for a median sales price of $552,000. These figures will tell you that buyers are most likely to shell out more than what they initially planned for.
It’s also best to know about the most notable communities in the area. Washington Grove and Montgomery Village are a few of the best picks.
Choose your agent wisely
Most first-time buyers will benefit a lot from working with an agent. Just make sure that the real estate agent you choose is a genuine practitioner.
Before sealing a partnership with an agent, ask for their license and request for references first. Interviewing potential agents can also help. Ask them the hard questions to find out if they truly are qualified to advise you on real estate matters.
Identify your non-negotiables
Real estate often involves thinking on your feet and making fast decisions. Identifying 10 must-haves is a good start to “cut to the chase,” so to say, but you can whittle down that list if need be.
Having non-negotiables will help you condense your home options and focus on features that you truly need. So, if a seller isn’t willing to compromise or the house simply has too many flaws, you can simply walk away from a bad deal.