Avoid Making Costly Mistakes When Buying Your First Home– Follow These Expert Tips When Shopping For a Mortgage
Trying to find the perfect house can sometimes feel like trying to win the lottery. While there may seem to be plenty of choices out there, ending up with one that fits every criterion–especially a buyer’s budget– is difficult. No wonder numerous house hunters suffer from something called ‘buyer fatigue’.
This can be extra challenging for first-time homebuyers who are charting the untested waters of the mortgage application process. So, here are some expert-approved tips they could keep in mind to avoid making costly mistakes when buying their first home.
Consider Affordability
It’s no secret that home prices can get high depending on where one plans to buy a home. There’s the risk that first-time buyers might end up with a house they can barely afford. Worse, they may realize this too late as they notice the impact that a high monthly mortgage payment has on their lifestyle.
As SuperMoney CEO Miron Lulic noticed, people can end up putting themselves in a tough financial situation because they committed too much of their resources into a house. This typically leaves them with not much left each month to put away in their savings account and the like.
Shopping Around
Another tip that Lulic has is to shop around for a mortgage. More importantly, be sure to ask the ‘right questions’ when inquiring at various lenders. Skipping this may end up costing first-time homebuyers thousands of dollars that they can otherwise earmark for other expenses.
Next, go the extra step of filling out a mortgage application from more than just one institution. Lulic compares this technique to the one consumers use before making any other large purchase. The great thing is that a person can now easily go online submit a couple of applications and immediately get an idea of rates that they can get.
Increasing the Down Payment
One way a buyer can lower the interest rate they’ll end up with is by increasing their down payment. People can also ask another party, such as their parents, to co-sign on their mortgage to decrease rates. This is because these acts will also reduce the lender’s risk and might cause them to lower rates for the applicant.
The Rate Lock
The mortgage rate lock is an agreement between the lender and the borrower that lets the latter to lock in the interest rate for a certain amount of time. This serves as a protection on the buyer’s side from a possible rise in interest rates. Borrowers are advised to get in writing specifically happens when this lock terminates.
More in Loans & Mortgages
-
Celebrity Couples Where the Woman Has a Higher Net Worth
In a world where gender roles and financial dynamics constantly shift, it’s not unusual to find celebrity couples where the woman...
October 27, 2023 -
Why the Gender Pay Gap Could Be Worsening
Picture this: Two college students, Alex and Charlie. Both are bright, have the same interests, and are ready to embrace the...
October 19, 2023 -
JC Penney’s Remarkable $1 Billion Revival Plan
In a remarkable turnaround, JC Penney unveiled a bold $1 billion revival plan, breathing new life into a brand that faced...
October 12, 2023 -
Shattering the American Dream: Mortgage Rates, Inflation & Cost of Living
You know that feeling when you are dreaming of something you have wanted for so long, only to watch it vanish...
October 6, 2023 -
Navigating the Workplace Dynamics With Generation Z
With the entry of Generation Z (born from 1997 onwards) into the workforce, a fresh breeze has swept through office spaces....
September 22, 2023 -
Why Businesses No Longer Offer Perks and Freebies
Have you noticed a shift in how companies are doling out customer perks and rewards? It’s not just your imagination—there’s a...
September 15, 2023 -
Paying Off Your Debt Through a Home Equity Loan | Is It a Good Idea?
Debt can be overwhelming, and finding ways to pay it off can be difficult. One solution that many homeowners consider is...
September 7, 2023 -
The Benefits of Doodling for Creativity and Concentration
Doodling, once seen as a mindless distraction or a sign of boredom, has now emerged as a powerful tool for enhancing...
September 2, 2023 -
How to Spot Job Scams
We all want to find our dream job, but the pursuit of employment can lead us into some sticky situations. With...
August 24, 2023
You must be logged in to post a comment Login