Homeownership is still an attainable goal in many markets of the United States. With the right help from a realtor and a good mortgage broker helping you get a great mortgage loan, you can find and secure the home to make you a property owner. Here are some recommendations to use for an upcoming home purchase process if you are a first-time home buyer.

Start on a Loan Pre-Approval

As a home buyer, you will want to make sure you can afford the home you want to buy, and you will likely need a mortgage loan in order to do so. At the beginning of your buying process, talk to a lender to get your application submitted for the loan. Your home loan is going to determine how much home you can afford based on your credit and income, so the better loan terms you can lock into, the better off your purchase position will be. For example, if you can qualify for a mortgage that is a low fixed rate without any mortgage insurance requirements, you will save money both on the interest and by not paying mortgage insurance. However, if you need to finance the entire purchase, mortgage insurance is going to be a cost that you will need to calculate into your ownership purchase costs, and when you start early, you will have these costs outlined and know what you are going to be paying for sooner.

Once you shop around with different lenders, you will get informed about the various loan programs that are currently available. Be sure you compare them based on their terms so you have a full understanding of the loan's regulations. For example, be sure you evaluate how much the closing costs will be and also if you have to pay any points to reduce the interest rate to an affordable rate. Calculate these into your loan's costs and also look to see if there is a mortgage prepayment penalty if you choose to pay off the mortgage early to sell the home or refinance. 

Check Into Home Buyer Assistance

When you are evaluating your budget and credit in order to make a home purchase a reality, funds can be tight and any help you can find will make a big difference. Be sure you check into first-time home buyer assistance programs in your area, which are offered locally or by the state you live in. There are many programs that can help out with covering your down payment or closing costs, for example, or a grant program to help you cover the down payment, which you may not have to pay back.

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