Buyer's Guide

Benefits of Buying Your First Home:

• Avoid rent increases and canceled leases.
• Opportunity to build your credit.
• Receive tax benefits by deducting your mortgage interest and real estate property taxes on your income tax returns.
• Build home equity.

What to Consider Before Buying a Home:

Financial Stability and Budgeting:

• You will need to pay your mortgage and utilities monthly.
• You must budget enough funds to cover costs for maintenance and repairs, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and possible HOA fees.

Risks

• Due to the ever-changing market, a real estate investment does not always increase in value. Your property value may increase or decrease over time.

Commitment:

• When you own a home, it is harder to pick up and move on short notice; therefore, you are obligated to sell the home first.

Process of Buying a Home:

1. Begin researching homes and make note of particular homes you are interested in learning more about and possibly purchasing.
2. Gather all of your personal financial information and determine how much home you can afford.
3. Know your rights.
4. Shop for a home loan. We can help you determine which loan best fits your current needs.
5. Get pre-approved for a home loan.
6. Contact a local real estate agent and begin shopping for a home. If you do not have a real estate agent, we can help you find one.
7. Make an offer on your desired home.
8. After the seller has accepted your offer, schedule a home inspection.
9. Shop for homeowners insurance.
10. Select the home loan that is right for you.
11. Have the home appraised.
12. Coordinate all paperwork.
13. Close the sale and get ready to move into your new home!

How to Get Started:

1. Create a financial plan to understand your credit and determine your budget.
2. Work with a licensed real estate agent as they offer professional assistance, market knowledge, and up-to-date information about geographic areas, home listings, pricing, school districts, and more.
3. Contact your local HOMESTAR Mortgage Loan Originator to find out what type of home loan you qualify for and how much you can afford to spend on a home. We handle everything in-house, creating a clear, customized path to homeownership.