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8 Common Misconceptions That First-Time Home Buyers Have

Realty Biz

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan. Check with your loan officer to see if you qualify for any first-time buyer programs. Student Loan Debt Must Be Paid off. The notion that you must be free and clear of student loans in order to qualify for a mortgage simply isn’t the case.

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Buying a House in San Diego? Local Real Estate Agents Share 15 Tips First-Time Buyers Need to Know

Redfin

Get pre-approved for a mortgage My advice to first-time homebuyers is to find a good loan officer and get pre-approved, fully underwritten approval is best. Work with that loan officer and their agent to understand what timeframes they’re comfortable with in an offer.

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Looking for a Mortgage Lender? Here Are 19 Questions to Ask Them Before You Commit

HomeLight

One of the first things you’ll want to know is just how much house you can afford , which is based on your income, credit score, debt-to-income ratio (DTI), and savings amount (including your down payment). I had some clients a few years ago that had trouble qualifying because they had a lot of debt.

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51 Brilliant Real Estate Tips for Buyers to Edge Past the Competition

HomeLight

Don’t forget to budget for closing costs. Closing costs are one-time costs that go along with your home purchase, and you pay them on — you guessed it — closing day. A lot of times people have no idea until they get the Loan Estimate that they have $15,000 to $20,000 worth of closing costs,” Ortman explains.

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15 Mortgage Questions to Ask Lenders Before Buying a House

HomeLight

Debt-to-income ratio After looking at how much money is flowing into your household, you’ll want to write down your monthly debts. That’s because lenders will also look at your debt-to-income ratio, or DTI. That number will be your debt-to-income ratio.

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Vital Steps to Take When Purchasing Your First Home

Realty Biz

Research different types of mortgages available, such as conventional, FHA, or VA loans. Many first-time home buyers have low credit scores and need help with high debt-to-income ratios. Consider your monthly income, expenses, and debt-to-income ratio when setting a budget for your new home.

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Here’s How to Apply for a USDA Loan in 9 Doable Steps

HomeLight

If you’re a would-be homebuyer searching for a home in a rural or even suburban area, you could potentially qualify for a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) loan. These loans — like FHA and VA loans — are backed by the government. For a USDA loan, you should have a minimum FICO score of 640.

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