Your 2011 House Buying Resolutions

We all love to make New Year’s resolutions, don’t we? Of course we do. And as much as we like making them, we seem determined to break them as quickly as possible…If one of your resolutions was to purchase a home in 2011, I’d like to suggest my top 5 suggestions in order to get you on the right track and to make THIS resolution happen!! 1.I will get Pre-Approved BEFORE I start shopping for a home: Working with a qualified and reputable lender prior is the true start to the home buying process. Many lenders would be happy to do a full credit check and evaluate your buying power at no charge or obligation to you. Once the credit is run, the lender should advise you of your credit score and how to maintain or improve the score to achieve your maximum credit rating. Just as importantly, they can counsel you on costs, payments and work with your agent to ensure a smooth home buying process. For more information on pre-approvals, please visit: www.gatewaymortgagefunding.com 2. I will focus on saving money for a home purchase: It’s never too late to start, but the sooner the better. The more assets you have to dedicate to down payments and/or closing costs will greatly benefit you in either a lower payment or to upgrade the price range you are qualified for .You may even consider asking parents or grandparents to “gift” you funds for a home purchase which is an acceptable source of funds on many loan products. 3.I will not spend or charge more than absolutely necessary: This goes for any purchase that can be avoided or delayed. A new car, new clothes, a vacation in paradise, well the list goes on and on. Remember your resolution is to buy a home, not everything but… 4. I will work with an experienced Realtor: Even with all the free tools available on the internet and the like, there is no substitute for a good local experienced Realtor to help you find your dream home and help you navigate and negotiate your way through the buying process. The best part is that they cost you nothing! Their fee is paid for by the seller! 5. And finally….I will be a HOMEOWNER not a RENTER: A very recent study showed that the lowered cost of homeownership (sale prices and low mortgage rates) would make owning a home actually less expensive over time than renting a comparable or even lesser dwelling, and that rents are and will continue to rise significantly over the next few years. So there you have it. 5 resolutions that you can keep to have the home of your dreams and unlike dieting or going to the gym, this one can actually happen!!!