Posts in category 'Buying A Home'

House hunting can be a fun experience, but it can also make for some long days driving around to different properties. We've put together a few things to keep in mind as your search begins to help make the process easier for you.

• Dress appropriately for the weather. Remember that you may be going in and out of the car and houses all day, but you may also be walking around yards that can be muddy or slippery. Wear comfortable clothing and comfortable shoes that can be easily removed at a homeowner's request.
  
  
• Bring drinks and snacks. Depending on how many homes you plan to look at, showing appointments can last from 1-3 hours. It's always more enjoyable to look at homes when you aren't hungry or thirsty.
  
  

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Is buying a home one of your 2023 Goals? Even if you're not ready to start house searching just yet, here are a few things that you should be thinking about now to make your home buying process easier...

• Increase your credit score. Before you start searching for houses, agents, and lenders, work on increasing your credit score which can improve your ability to get a great mortgage. Credit scores range between 200 and 850, with scores above 620 considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. (For tips on improving your credit score, check out our blog post Improving Your Credit Score)

Before you start your home search, it is beneficial to talk with a mortgage broker to learn about what kind of mortgage you would be approved for. They will look at your income, credit score, and outstanding debts (including any loans and credit cards) among other factors to determine how much you can comfortably spend on a mortgage and what price range you should be searching in. 

When applying for a mortgage, consistency is the name of the game. There are a few things that you should keep in mind to make sure you don't derail your home buying process along the way.

• Don't apply for new credit cards or loans. Each time you apply for new credit, you are seen as a greater credit risk, at least temporarily. Applying for new credit cards and loans can ding...

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Closing on your new home is an exciting and often hectic time. But you should always make time for a final walk-through to make sure your new home is in the condition that you expect it to be. Depending on what time you have your closing scheduled for, your agent may recommend that you do your final walk-through the evening before or morning of closing. 

Here is a list of things that you should look at when you walk-through the house: 

• Make sure all of the Seller's personal property and debris has been removed. Check every room and spaces like the basement, attic, and crawl spaces to make sure nothing has been left behind. 
• Check that all the repairs you've requested have been made. The Seller's Agent should be able to provide you with a list of receipts for work that was done...

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Even if you aren't planning to buy a house soon, improving your credit score can have a positive effect on your financial health. Credit scores are used in evaluating a range of loans such as personal loans, car loans, and home mortgages. They determine the terms of your loans and whether you can afford these loans or not.

Credit scores range between 200 and 850, with scores above 620 considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage.

What determines yo...

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