Choosing your First Home

If you are ready to move out of your apartment, there is no time better than now. In most parts of the country, this is a BUYER'S MARKET!! Buying your first home is an important step to having the ability to build better finances and to live in a place that is comfortable. If you are considering a new home, there are specific things that you will want to know before jumping in with both feet.

Before you even begin to look at homes, make sure that you conduct your own investigation. This will mean that you should choose a general location that you would like to live, find the going rates, and what you can or can't afford. As for determining what you can afford, a good place to start is with our mortgage calculators. Here you can compute a monthly mortgage payment, get a basic idea of what size loan you can qualify for, and do a 'buying versus renting' comparison. If you know the basics of what is available, what you can afford, and what you might qualify for, it will be easier for you to get exactly what you want.

Make sure that you begin to educate yourself on the home buying and mortgage loan processes. I would recommend our Insider Mortgage Reports like the one entitled Important Terms You Must Know BEFORE Obtaining A Mortgage. If you don't know what something is, look it up right away or ask. You should also consider things such as your credit rating and your pay check. You don't want to get into something that is over your head or start to look for something, only to find out that you won't be able to get the financing. Visit our website to receive my Free Homebuying Guide and other Insider Mortgage Reports like Money & Time Saving Tips For A Successful Move.

From here, it is all a matter of getting involved with the right people. One of the most important decisions that you can make is to find the right real estate agent. A realtor will help find homes in your price range and in the geographic area you're looking to move to. They also assist you with offer negotiations with the seller and their agent. This will make a large difference in the type of deal that you get as well as what type of home and mortgage you end up with. Real estate agents have tools available to help you find something that is in your price range, desired location and with the amenities and "special touches" you're hoping for.

The process of finding a new home can be challenging and fun. Making sure that you open the front door instead of having to crawl through the back can help you to get exactly what you want. By learning the ropes from the very beginning you stand a much better chance of making certain to get what you want.

Please feel free to visit smartrate.com, fill-out a FREE No-Obligation Secure Online Loan Application or call me in my Michigan office at 586-323-2920. I am here to help you with all your mortgage needs.