Buying a house is a big step; first-time homebuyers are often overwhelmed or confused. Fortunately, home buying isn’t as hard as it seems when you know the top home buyer mistakes to avoid.
Mistakes to Avoid First-Time Home Buyers
Buying a house is an intricate process that requires many steps and involves many people. However, bypassing the nine mistakes below can ensure you can close your loan and easily call yourself a homeowner.
#Mistake 1 – Not Knowing Your Credit
The first thing lenders consider is your credit history. If you don’t check your credit and know what lenders see, you could end up without a loan approval.
Fortunately, it’s easy to check your credit history for free. Everyone gets free access weekly on all three credit bureaus. So you can check your credit history, make changes as needed, and ensure that you show lenders that you’re a responsible borrower.
Some key factors to look for and fix include the following:
- Payments more than 30 days late
- Credit lines with over 30% of the line outstanding
- Collections
#Mistake 2 – Underestimating Housing Costs
First-time home buyers often overlook that owning a home means more than paying the mortgage. You’ll owe real estate taxes, homeowner’s insurance, mortgage insurance, and HOA dues.
There’s also the maintenance and upkeep required for a home, plus the cost of utilities, home furnishing, and decorations.
Be sure to look at the big picture and understand how much a house costs to buy, maintain, and feel like a home for your family.
#Mistake 3 – Not Shopping Around for a Mortgage
Every first-time home buyer should get a few quotes from mortgage lenders. If you work with a mortgage broker, you’ll apply once but have several quotes to compare. The key is to see what lenders offer, including interest rates, closing costs, and mortgage terms.
You won’t know which mortgage is best for you until you see your options. So don’t settle for the first approval you receive.
#Mistake 4 – Not Starting The Approval Process Early
There are two steps you should take before buying a house:
- Get a mortgage pre-qualification – Consider getting prequalified six months to a year before you’re ready to buy a house. It will tell you what you can afford based on your qualifying factors and give you time to fix any issues that stand in the way. A pre-qualification isn’t an approval; it’s an estimate but a great first step.
- Get pre-approved – When you’re ready to buy a house, get pre-approved. With this step, you’ll complete a mortgage application and provide documentation to satisfy your conditions. Lenders will write you a pre-approval letter if you’re approved, which you can use to show sellers when you are ready to make an offer on the house.
Starting the approval process early ensures you only buy what you can afford, increasing your chances of a seller accepting your offer.
#Mistake 5 – Not Making the Right Down Payment
Your down payment is one of the biggest parts of buying a house. Of course, not all types of loans require one, but most do.
The FHA and conventional home loans require a 3.5 and 3% down payment, respectively. But you can always put down more. If you are eligible for VA or USDA loans, they don’t require any money down, but again, making a down payment can be a good idea.
Look at your savings and see how much you can afford to tie up in your home. Don’t deplete your savings, as that’s another mistake, but don’t withhold your down payment if you can put down more. The higher your down payment, the better rates and terms lenders can offer.
#Mistake 6 – Not Look at First-Time Homebuyer Programs
Many first-time homebuyer programs include grants you don’t have to repay. In addition, you may get help with your down payment or get more attractive loan options that make your payment more affordable.
Each city and state has different first-time buyer programs. Always ask your loan officer what’s available in your area to exhaust your options.
#Mistake 7 – Not Understanding Discount Points
Discount points may help you lower your interest rate, but many first-time home buyers don’t understand them.
Discount points are a percentage of your loan amount you pay at the closing to buy your rate down. For example, one point equals 1% of the loan or $1,000 for every $100,000 you borrow. A discount point typically lowers an interest rate by 0.25%, but each lender differs.
#Mistake 8 – Rushing to Make an Offer
Buying your first home can be exciting; however, rushing into it is a big mistake. Remember, it’s one of the largest investments you’ll make. So, take your time finding the right loan, terms, and house. You’ll make mortgage payments for the next 15 to 30 years, so ensure you are 100% certain.
#Mistake 9 – Not Insuring a Loss of Income
Life happens, and no one can predict what will happen. If you insure your loss of income with disability insurance and life insurance should a spouse die suddenly, you don’t have to worry about how you’ll pay bills, such as the mortgage.
Bottom Line
Owning a home is exciting and overwhelming all at once. First-time home buyers have much to consider, but the process can be simple with the right support.
Make sure you have enough money saved for a down payment, work with a reputable mortgage company to get the most competitive rates and terms, and have the right support when looking at homes.
There are many benefits of being a first-time home buyer and many programs you can use. Contact us today if you’re ready to see how you can make the most of your ability to buy a home.
