For most homeowners, buying a house is the purchase of a lifetime. Before you sign on for your dream home—and potentially all the debt that will come with it—you need to take an honest look at your finances. If you are thinking of buying a house, these tips will help you align your personal budget with your house goals.
1. Know Your Household Budget
Setting up your household budget should start with having a firm grasp on how much money you have coming in (after taxes) every month. Next, you'll need to determine your monthly expenses, from bills, utilities, and insurance to groceries and entertainment. The amount of money remaining after you subtract your monthly expenses is your expendable income. Are there areas you can improve on? Is the expendable income you have enough to cover the added expenses of a mortgage, insurance, and home ownership? Make adjustments where necessary.
2. Pay Down Debt
Of course, it is possible to buy a house even if you currently have existing debt, but you are putting yourself in a much better position to be approved for a mortgage if you can pay off most or all of your debt first. Paying off debt will also improve your credit score, which is also an important factor in getting the best terms for your mortgage.
3. Save for a Down Payment
Lenders have been increasingly cautious about who they lend money to and
how much money they lend. Because of this, lenders often require a 20% deposit on a home. Depending on the price of a home, this deposit can get pricey. Focus your personal budget on saving towards this deposit. It will improve your chances of getting approved for a loan and give you a head start in paying off your home.
4. Know How Much House You Can Afford
Feel out what kind of loan you can get pre-approved for. Typically, your actual "new home" budget will be less than the amount you are pre-approved for, but this is a good jumping off point. Next, seek out homes that could realistically fit into your budget. Most lenders suggest a house that is about 2.5 time your annual salary.
5. Research and Inspect
If you find a home you can afford that you want to buy, don’t jump to sign the first contract of sale laid before you. Take the time to hire a home inspector. A home inspector is different from an appraiser and you will have to hire them each separately. However, a home inspector could save you money in the long run by uncovering any big issues with a home
before you own it. Take some time to research the real estate market you are buying into. Is this home priced fairly compared to similar homes in the area? If not, you could use this data to argue for a lower price.
Finding a home you will love with your budget is possible. By modifying your spending, you can save money, get the best mortgage possible,
and land your dream home.