Tips for First-Time Homebuyers | Journey Home Lending

Deciding to buy your first home and settle down is a big decision. There is so much to consider—from how much you can afford to how you will decorate. With so much to think about, it can feel pretty overwhelming fast.

A quick online search can give more iffy advice than you could ever make it through. You may also have a wonderful network of people around you offering tips. Trying to sort through it all is a lot, even from those close to you that are “just trying to help.”

That is why we spent some time gathering some of the best tips out there for you. These are tried-and-true tips for first-time homebuyers, and they should help you move forward on your journey toward a new home.

Financial Tips

Financial decisions will likely be the most challenging ones you will have to make when it comes to making a large purchase. Making a long-term investment can be pretty scary, so it is important to do your research on everything you will face in the home buying process.

Consider these financial tips to help you:

1. Seek pre-approval. This isn’t the same thing as a mortgage approval, but it can give you and the sellers you work with an idea of exactly how much house your finances can handle.

2. Check your credit. Be proactive ahead of starting your search and do a deep dive into your personal finances—including performing a credit check. You want to know exactly where you stand financially so that you are getting the most bang for your buck.

3. Skip other big expenses. When you are ready to start looking for a forever home, put off any other large expenses you can. A new car might look nice in a new driveway, but you will be better off waiting until after the dust of home buying has settled to purchase one.

Search Tips

Once you have a good idea of how you are going to handle things financially, it’s time to prepare yourself for finding the perfect place to lay your head down at night.

1. Research the location. If you have children, this might mean digging into information about the school systems and other community offerings. You should also do a little research into how property taxes in areas you are considering have changed over the years. If they have been consistently on the rise, it could indicate you might end up in over your head depending on how flexible your budget is.

2. List needs vs. wants. While all the previous tips might sound like a lot of what could be stressful work, buying a home should still be an exciting time in your life. It is important to list out exactly what it is you need so that you can ensure you are making a purchase that will keep your family safe and content for many years. Don’t be afraid to throw some things in that you want, too, though. Making a purchase that could be forever shouldn’t just meet your needs, but it should make you feel content.

These are only a snippet of the tips that are out there for first-time homebuyers, and while they are meant to help point you in the right direction, the most important and helpful thing you can do for yourself is find what works. Something one person swears by may not be ideal for you. Weed through the advice and use what is going to make your process simple.

And when you are feeling overwhelmed, stop the scroll for the night or tell your friends thanks and get some rest. Sometimes the best way to see our path clearly is as simple as getting a good night’s sleep.

Wake up and get your home-buying journey started! Contact us for a partner that will be alongside you the whole way.