Purchase a Home

Purchasing a home is a very exciting time, and being well prepared will help you make better decisions. Take this opportunity to learn more about home buying and the mortgage process. Below and throughout this site, you will find information that will help you with the purchase of your new home.

 


Am I really ready to buy?

Buying a home offers many advantages, one of the most significant being that it allows you to build equity (ownership) when you pay your mortgage each month. A common myth is that monthly mortgage payments are more expensive than rent. But, in many cases, mortgage payments can be even less than rent. When considering home ownership for the first time, you need to decide whether buying makes financial and practical sense for you right now or if you are better off renting. Consider both the advantages and disadvantages to renting as well as buying, and weigh the pros and cons for your particular situation.

How much “house” can I afford?

The first step toward finding the right home is to quickly compute your purchasing power and determine how much you can afford to pay each month. This saves you time by allowing you to focus on homes in your price range.




Some up front costs include:

  • Down payment: Typically ranges from 3-30% of the cost of the house. The more you can put down, the greater equity you will have in your home and the lower your monthly payment will be. For down payments less than 20% you may also need to pay mortgage insurance.
  • Closing Costs: Typically range from 2-6% of the loan amount depending on your area.
  • On-going Costs:
    Your housing costs can include the following:
    • Monthly mortgage payment
    • Homeowners insurance
    • Mortgage Insurance
    • if applicable Flood Insurance
    • if applicable
    • Property taxes
    • Utilities
    • Maintenance

How much can I get pre-qualified for?

Before you go looking for a home, you should see if you are financially able to get a mortgage and get an estimate of what you pre-qualify for from a lender. If you are working with a real estate agent, getting pre-qualified lets them know you are a knowledgeable and serious buyer. Just fill out or Quick Quote form and we will give you all of the answers.
Loan Amount*
Property Value*
Property Type*
Loan Type*
Credit Score*
Name*
Email*
Phone*
Zip Code*
Compare the differences of the loan types available to find the one that is right for you. You will find information on 30 year fixed, conventional loans, jumbo loans, super conforming (conventional jumbo), FHA and VA loans. Of course you can always call and speak to one of our loan consultants.