Have you been waiting to buy your first home? Are you nervous because you don’t know where to start or what to expect? If so, it’s good that you’re nervous. This is going to be a big decision, and it’s a going to be a big step! Going from living at home, at college, or renting a place is very different from owning your own house. You want to make sure that you’re making the right choices and know what you’re getting into because this could be a lifelong commitment, and an expensive one at that.
The first thing you’re going to want to do is look at your finances, and that means really look at them. Track where you money is going – see if there’s anywhere that maybe you could cut back – going out to eat? Going to the movies? New clothes? Anything that maybe you’re splurging on because you can, but don’t necessarily need. Once you know where your money is going, it’s time to figure out how much money you can afford on your new mortgage. This amount may be more than what you’re currently paying. You’ll also want to look at your savings and see what you have that you can use for a down payment on your house.
Once you have a good handle on your numbers, you’ll want to talk to a mortgage broker. There are some good discounts and rates if you’re a first time home buyer in Tucson. You’ll want to make sure that you’re pre-approved for a mortgage so that you’re not wasting your time by looking at homes that you can’t afford. Your next step should be to make a list of towns and neighborhoods that you’d like to buy in. A good Realtor can help you narrow this list down too if you’re not really sure.
Once you’ve done all of these steps, you’re ready to start house hunting! You should take your time and look at several houses to make sure that you’re getting the house of your dreams and that you’re going to be happy in it for years to come.
