Number of bedrooms/bathrooms, school district, and commute time. [1]
Check for local or state programs that offer or tax credits. Many buyers leave money on the table simply because they didn't ask what grants they qualified for. [6]
Before you get emotional at an open house, list your non-negotiables: steps to take before buying a home
A pre-qualification is an estimate; a is a lender’s written commitment to loan you a specific amount after reviewing your tax returns and pay stubs. [6] In a competitive market, most sellers won't even look at your offer without one. [2, 6] 4. Build Your Team
You can change a kitchen’s backsplash, but you can’t change the lot size or the neighborhood noise level. [2] 6. Research First-Time Buyer Programs [6] Before you get emotional at an open
A good agent represents your interests, not the seller's. They help with negotiations, paperwork, and spotting red flags in a property. [2]
Don't just go with your primary bank. Compare rates and fees from at least three different lenders to save thousands over the life of the loan. [6] 5. Define Your "Must-Haves" vs. "Nice-to-Haves" Build Your Team You can change a kitchen’s
Your score determines your mortgage interest rate. If it’s low, spend 6–12 months paying down debt to boost it before applying. [2, 3]