Buying a home can be an exciting milestone in your life, and it's essential to educate yourself on the financial implications of homeownership before you make an offer. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a current owner looking to sell or refinance, a few key questions should help guide your decision.
Owning a home is a long-term commitment. Recent studies show that the average buyer expects to live in their new home for 13 years before selling. While homeownership allows you to build equity and take advantage of tax benefits, owning also comes with risks.
While property is generally considered an appreciating asset, home values are tied to economic conditions. Having your financial house in order is an important first step to buying one! Are you confident in your ability to pay your bills on time? Are you able to budget for unanticipated costs?
Determining how much home you can afford goes beyond a property's list price. Other factors that will affect your monthly payment include interest rates, taxes, insurance, income, debt, and future monthly expenses - to name just a few. While numerous "affordability" calculators exist, it's important to understand the whole picture. Before you buy, take action to determine how much home you can afford with our Banzai Coaching Session: What Mortgage Can I Afford?.
Are you familiar with the "Four C's of Loan Credit?" Lenders look at several factors to determine the terms of a mortgage loan. Consider reviewing your financial history and educating yourself on the qualifications lenders use to determine the terms of your loan.
Your credit score and the information in your credit report are critical factors in whether or not you'll be approved for a mortgage and at what interest rate. When was the last time you checked your credit Learn more about your credit and the steps to build strong credit by utilizing our Banzai Coaching Session: How Do I Build Credit?
No matter what stage of homeownership you are exploring, expanding your knowledge about the key financial questions to ask when buying a home will help you make a long-term decision that benefits you!
You can view all homeownership-related content in Azura's Financial Education Program: Banzai. Learn more now.
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