As you prepare to buy your first home, you likely face the process with a mixture of fear and excitement, and for good reason. This is a major financial step and one of the largest investments you will make, and you want to make sound financial choices. Before you start the process, make sure you are not falling victim to these common first-time home buyer mistakes.
Before you even begin looking for a home, make sure you know how much you can afford. Getting a mortgage pre-approval can be a good starting point but do not base your home-buying budget on this limit alone. Our Mortgage Loan Officers can help you determine what you can comfortably afford in your monthly budget.
Draining your savings to buy your first home is not a good idea. You will face many surprising expenses as a first-time homeowner that require some money in savings to cover.
For example, when your dishwasher breaks unexpectedly, you will be the one responsible for replacing it. Also, after you move into your home, you will find quite a few furnishings and other items that you will need to buy to make it comfortable. Keep a buffer of savings to help with these types of home ownership expenses.
Your credit report will be a deciding factor in how much you are allowed to borrow and your interest rate, so you should check it before starting the mortgage application process. Sometimes credit reports can contain errors, and that can lead to an inflated interest rate that you do not deserve. Check your credit and correct errors before starting the mortgage application process.
The pre-qualification process gives you an idea of how much you would be allowed to borrow and also gives you negotiating power when making an offer. Pre-qualification is not the same as the actual mortgage application, but it is an important first step and a valuable negotiating tool for first-time home buyers. You can always ask a CCCU Mortgage Loan Officer about the pre-qualification process.
When making an offer on a home, you have the option to add contingencies, such as making the offer conditional to the results of the home inspection. Waiving contingencies may make your offer more desirable, but doing so puts you at risk.
If you don’t have a home inspection contingency and discover a serious problem with the home at some point after your offer is accepted (such as a termite infestation or serious water damage), you may not have a way out of the contract.
Buying your first home should be an exciting adventure, not a financial pitfall. Take care to avoid these mistakes, and you can move forward confidently as you make your first home purchase. As you join the ranks of first-time home buyers, be cautious to make good financial decisions, so your new home is less stressful and more enjoyable.
CCCU is here to help find a mortgage solution to fit your needs. Apply online or visit any of our branch locations, email our mortgage team, or give us a call at 503.963.6666.
