HOW DO I KNOW IF I'M READY TO BUY A HOME?

You can find out by asking yourself some questions:

1. Do I have a stable predicable income likely to continue? Have I been employed in the same line of work for at least 2 years?
2. Do I have a good record of paying my bills? Do I have few outstanding long-term debts, like car payments?
3. Do I have money saved for a down payment?
4. Do I have the ability to pay a mortgage every month, plus additional costs?

If you can answer "YES" to these questions,  (Apply Now) for a pre approval on an FHA loan.

HOW DO I BEGIN THE HOMEBUYING PROCESS?

Start out by thinking about your current situation. Are you ready to buy a home? How much can you afford in a monthly mortgage payment (see Question number 4 for help)? How much space do you need? What areas of town do you like? After you answer these questions, make a "To Do" list and start doing casual research. Talk to friends and family, drive through neighborhoods, and look in the "Homes" section of the newspaper. You can also view all the homes listed for sale by all the realtors at http://www.realtor.com/

HOW IS PURCHASING A HOME BETTER THAN RENTING?

The two don't really compare at all. The one advantage of renting is being generally free of most maintenance responsibilities. But by renting, you lose the chance to build equity, take advantage of tax benefits, and protect yourself against rent increases. Also, you may not be free to decorate without permission and may be at the mercy of the landlord for housing.

Owning a home has many benefits. When you make a mortgage payment, you are building equity. And that's an investment. Owning a home also qualifies you for tax breaks that assist you in dealing with your new financial responsibilities- like insurance, real estate taxes, and upkeep- which can be substantial. But given the freedom, stability, and security of owning your own home, they are worth it.

HOW DO THE FHA MORTGAGE LENDERS DECIDE THE MAXIMUM LOAN AMOUNT THAT CAN AFFORD?

The FHA mortgage lender considers your debt-to-income ratio, which is a comparison of your gross (pre-tax) income to housing and non-housing expenses. Non-housing expenses include such long-term debts as car or student loan payments, alimony, or child support. According to the FHA loan guidelines your monthly mortgage payments should be no more than roughly 35% % of gross income (before tax income), while the mortgage payment, combined with non-housing expenses, 4 should total no more than 50% of income. The lender also considers cash available for down payment and closing costs, credit history, etc. when determining your maximum FHA loan amount.

HOW DO I SELECT A REAL ESTATE AGENT?

Start by asking family and friends if they can recommend a realtor. Compile a list of several agents and talk to each before choosing one. Look for an realtor who listens well and understands your needs, and whose judgment you trust. The ideal real estate agent knows the local area well and has resources and contacts to help you in your search. Overall, you want to choose an real estate agent that makes you feel comfortable and can provide all the knowledge and services you need.

HOW CAN I DETERMINE MY NEEDS BEFORE I BEGIN THE HOME SEARCH?

Your home should fit way your lifestyle, with spaces and features that appeal to the whole family. Before you begin looking at homes, make a list of your priorities - things like location and size. Should the house be close to certain schools? your job? to public transportation? How large should the house be? What type of lot do you prefer? What kinds of amenities are you looking for? Establish a set of minimum requirements and a 'wish list." Minimum requirements are things that a house must have for you to consider it, while a "wish list" covers things that you'd like to have but aren't essential.

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR WHEN DECIDING ON A NEIGHBORHOOD?

Select a community that will allow you to best live your daily life. Many people choose communities based on schools. Do you want access to shopping and public transportation? Is access to local facilities like libraries and museums important to you? Or do you prefer the peace and quiet of a rural community? When you find places that you like, talk to people that live there. They know the most about the area and will be your future neighbors. More than anything, you want a neighborhood where you feel comfortable in.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I'M FEELING EXCLUDED FROM CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS?

Immediately contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) if you ever feel excluded from a neighborhood or particular house. Also, contact HUD if you believe you are being discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, nationality, familial status, or disability.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT ABOUT LOCAL SCHOOLS?

You can get information about school systems by contacting the city or county school board or the local schools. Your real estate agent may also be knowledgeable about schools in the area.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT ABOUT COMMUNITY RESOURCES?

Contact the local chamber of commerce for promotional literature or talk to your real estate agent about welcome kits, maps, and other information. You may also want to visit the local library. It can be an excellent source for information on local events and resources, and the librarians will probably be able to answer many of the questions you have.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT HOW MUCH HOMES ARE SELLING FOR IN CERTAIN COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS?

Your real estate agent can give you a ballpark figure by showing you comparable listings. If you are working with a real estate professional, they may have access to comparable sales maintained on a database.

HOW CAN I FIND INFORMATION ON THE PROPERTY TAX LIABILITY?

The total amount of the previous year's property taxes is usually included in the listing information. If it's not, ask the seller for a tax receipt or contact the local assessor's off ice. Tax rates can change from year to year, so these figures may be approximate.

WHAT OTHER TAX ISSUES SHOULD I TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION?

Keep in mind that your mortgage interest and real estate taxes will be deductible. A qualified real estate professional can give you more details on other tax benefits and liabilities,

IS AN OLDER HOME A BETTER VALUE THAN A NEW ONE?

There isn't a definitive answer to this question. You should look at each home for its individual characteristics. Generally, older homes may be in more established neighborhoods, offer more ambiance, and have lower property tax rates. People who buy older homes, however, shouldn't mind maintaining their home and making some repairs. Newer homes tend to use more modern architecture and systems, are usually easier to maintain, and may be more energy-efficient. People who buy new homes often don't want to worry initially about upkeep and repairs.

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR WHEN WALKING THROUGH A HOME?

In addition to comparing the home to your minimum requirement and wish lists consider the following:

1. Is there enough room in this house for my future family needs?
2. Are there enough bedrooms and bathrooms?
3. Is the house structurally sound?
4. Do the appliances work?
5. Is the yard big enough?
6. Do you like the floor plan? Will your furniture fit in the space? Is there enough storage space? (Bring a tape measure to better answer these questions.)
7. Does anything need to repaired or replaced? Will the seller repair or replace the items?
8. Imagine the house in good weather and bad, and in each season. Will you be happy with it year-round?

Take your time and think carefully about each house you see. Ask your real estate agent to point out the pros and cons of each home from a professional standpoint.

WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD I ASK WHEN LOOKING AT HOMES?

Your questions should focus on potential problems and maintenance issues. Does anything need to be replaced? What are the problem areas and what things require ongoing maintenance (e.g., paint, roof, HVAC, appliances, carpet)? Also ask about the house and neighborhood, focusing on quality of life issues. Be sure the seller's or real estate agent's answers are clear and complete. Ask questions until you understand all of the information they've given. Making a list of questions ahead of time will help you organize your thoughts and arrange all of the information you receive.

HOW CAN I KEEP TRACK OF ALL THE HOMES I LIKE?

If possible, collect photographs of each house: the outside, the major rooms, the yard, and extra features that you like or ones you see as potential problems. And don't hesitate to return for a second look.

HOW MANY HOMES DO I NEED TO SEE BEFORE CHOOSING ONE?

There isn't a set number of houses you should see before you decide. Visit as many as it takes to find the one you want. On average, homebuyers see 15 houses before choosing one. Just be sure to communicate often with your real estate agent and make sure they understand everything you're looking for. It will help avoid wasting your time.

Have Questions? Fill out a Quick Response form or (Apply Now).