Buyer's Resources > First Time Home Buyers

Taking the step from renting to buying can be overwhelming, and scary at times, even when you know that buying is better for you. When making the decision to buy, take the following issues into consideration:

#1.	Am I 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. When considering homeownership 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.
#2.	How much can you afford? The second step toward finding the right home is to compute your purchasing power and determine how much you can afford a month. This saves you time by allowing you to focus on homes in your price range.
#3.	What type of loan best suit your financial situation? There are many loan programs available. A good Realtor and lender team can ease your confusion. Some cities and non-profit organizations offer assistance to first-time homebuyers.
#4.	What is the true cost of homeownership? Many people who pay hundreds of dollars each month in rent often think that they could just as easily buy their own homes and pay the money that goes towards rent as their monthly mortgage.  But what you must understand is that the true cost of home ownership involves much more than your monthly mortgage payments.  You need to figure a budget for one-time move-in expenses and a budget for additional expenses such as utilities, trash and maintenance costs.
#5.	What I should I do in my planning stage? A house you call home can be a blessing. A house that you are not ready for is not. Hence, careful upfront planning is crucial in your success. Contact us for more information. Each person and family is different unique. We want to help make your dream of home ownership come true.