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10 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Home

Windemere Buying

Not getting pre-approved Getting pre-approved is a key component of the early stages of the buying process and will help to maximize your chances of getting your offer accepted. Because new credit changes your debt-to-income ratio, lenders will likely want to review your mortgage approval and your risk of non-payment.

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Thinking About a Rent-to-Own House? Here’s What You Need to Know

HomeLight

The seller can determine the terms of the option, which may or may not include a pre-set purchase price for the home. What about the appraisal and inspections? While getting an inspection on a house before you buy it is always a good idea, it doesn’t mean the seller will be responsible for any needed repairs.

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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. – Robert Cenzer | Redfin Agent Don’t jump in and start house hunting until you have been pre-approved by your local bank or lender.

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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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What’s the First Step in Buying a Home? Your Answer Here

Realtor.com

monkeybusinessimages/iStock No, it’s not leaping into buyer mode by picking out a real estate agent who has pretty homes, setting up a home inspection, and then moving in your sectional couch. Step 2: Qualify for a home loan or loan pre-approval. Step 1: Why financing is the key to buying a new home.

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This Checklist and Timeline Is Your GPS for Buying a House

HomeLight

While you’ll find lots of ways to ballpark your housing budget, the real determiner will be your debt-to-income ratio , or DTI. The lender wants to be sure you can pay back the mortgage plus any other debts you owe, so the bank will calculate your DTI. Get a home inspection. Explore special programs.

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Buying New Construction for the First Time? Here Are the Dos and Don’ts You’ll Need to Know Before Jumping In

HomeLight

You’re choosing from pre-set finishes and you may get to choose paint colors, types of flooring , fixture finishes, and appliance packages. These allow you to choose a few paint colors and add-ons, but you will mostly get pre-built features that the builder has already decided on. Don’t skip inspections.