Steps to buying a home

There are many steps involved when you are buying a home. Many first time home-buyers need a little assistance with trying to get through the home-buying process on their first home. The first step a person should take when looking to buy a home is to sit down with their husband/wife/significant other, etc... and figure out a budget and calculate the maximum amount that they can "comfortably" afford for a mortgage payment. Remember to include property taxes and homeowners insurance into your monthly mortgage payment estimate. Also remember to include your utility payments when calculating your budget with all of your monthly expenses when your are trying to calculate how much of a mortgage payment you would feel comfortable making each month. This is a very important step for homeowners to go into the transaction knowing what they can comfortably afford to pay each month so that they don't fall into the very common trap of buying more house than you can afford.

Once you have established what is comfortable for your monthly budget, next contact a mortgage professional to get pre-approved for your mortgage. Based on what you are comfortable with for a monthly payment they will be able to let you know what price range of house you are able to purchase, as well as the maximum loan that you would qualify for. Keep in mind that the maximum you qualify for may be more per month than what you feel you can afford. It's your responsibility to make sure you stay within your budget, and can make the payments on the home you are purchasing.

Next, you will want to find a Realtor to work with. If you don't have one in mind, ask the mortgage professional you are working with to provide a referral.

After you make an offer on a home and it is accepted, one of the next steps to buying a home is for your mortgage professional to order an appraisal. The appraisal fee is one of the few upfront fees you will have to pay upfront. The appraisal protects the lender and you, the home buyer. It allows the lender to ensure the home is worth what they are lending on it. And it lets the buyer know that the home is worth what he or she is paying for it.

Some Realtors have a Accredited Buyer's Representative designation meaning they have specialized training in assisting buyers find homes. When you are beginning the search for a Realtor, be sure to ask about the A.B.R. designation.

Once you determine the amount you feel comfortable paying every month, you might find that there is nothing available in that price range.

» DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article on 'Steps to buying a home' is a collection of contributions by licensed mortgage professionals and is not the opinion of Broker Outpost LLC. Always consult a licensed professional before applying for a mortgage.