Buying Your First Home This Fall? Start Here
Fall is a smart season to house hunt. Sellers who listed in summer want to close before winter, and that gives you room to negotiate. Before you tour a single home, get your money ready. Here is how to start.
Know your real budget. Add up your monthly income and your fixed bills. A safe target keeps your housing cost near 28 percent of your gross monthly pay. Write down a number you feel calm about, not the top of what a lender offers.
Check your credit early. Your score sets your mortgage rate, and a better rate saves you thousands over the life of the loan. Pull your report, fix errors, and pay down cards before you apply.
Save for more than the down payment. Closing costs, inspections, and moving add up. Set aside 2 to 5 percent of the home price on top of your down payment so nothing surprises you.
Get pre-approved before you shop. A pre-approval letter shows sellers you are serious and tells you your true price range. It turns a dream into a plan.
Line up your team. A trusted agent and a loan officer who answer your questions make the whole process calmer. Ask friends for names and interview two or three.
Home buying feels big because it is new, not because you are not ready. Grow Your Home walks you through every step, from your first savings goal to closing day, in plain language written for women. Start your hom
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