- Home Buying Guide
Home Buying Guide
Buying a home is a big investment. We’re here to make the process as easy as possible and keep you informed every step of the way. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, are buying a luxury house, or are investing in properties to build your real estate portfolio, our home buying guide will help you through the process toward getting that new set of keys.
12 Steps to Buy A Home
Pre-Qualify for a loan
What is pre-qualification?
Pre-qualification determines your ability to repay a loan based on information you provide. Your liability, asset and income information are reviewed by a licensed mortgage loan originator to establish the maximum purchase price you can afford and how much you may be able to borrow.
What are the benefits of pre-qualifying today?
Pre-qualification may establish you as a serious buyer when looking at real estate, give you an advantage over other buyers looking at the same property, and let you know what you can afford before home shopping.
Understanding Your Credit Report
Your credit score is not the only factor in getting approved for a mortgage, but it is an important part of determining what you will be able to qualify for.
Check your own credit score before meeting with a lender.
It’s important to make sure that your score is accurate when applying for a loan. You can get a free credit report once a year online by visiting annualcreditreport.com.
Verify report for accurate information.
Report and dispute inaccuracies with the credit bureau. Disputes in process may delay loan approval.
Paying down high credit balances may positively affect your credit score.
By paying down applicable lines of credit before applying for a loan, you may qualify and get approved for a better interest rate.
Set up payment plans.
Call your creditors and work out a budget-friendly payment plan on delinquent accounts prior to applying for a loan. Work out a plan that won’t harshly affect your debt-to-income ratio but will still let lenders know you are serious about being credible for your debts.
Meet Your Licensed Loan Originator
if you pre-qualified, you should be in contact with a licensed loan originator. If you have not, give us a call today to discuss your options and get started. Together, we’ll choose a mortgage product that will meet your needs. If you want to get an idea of what kind of product may be right for you, see our loan types. A licensed loan originator will assess your financial situation and make a recommendation.
Estimate Your Expenses
Use our online calculators to get a general idea of how much home you can afford. Determine how much home you can afford, what your estimated monthly mortgage payment may be, how much your down payment should be, and more. When budgeting to plan for a mortgage, a loan originator will help you include:
- monthly bills
- estimated property taxes
- estimated home-owner’s insurance
- estimated private mortgage insurance (PMI)
- living costs
- potential Home Owners Association fees In addition to ongoing costs, remember to factor in one-time costs during the buying process, including closing costs and your down payment.
Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
Pre-Qualification
It determines your ability to repay a loan based on information you provide. Your liability, asset and income information are reviewed by a licensed mortgage loan originator to establish the maximum purchase price you can afford and how much you may be able to borrow.
Pre-Approval
This is a written commitment from a lender to extend a mortgage to you for a specific amount and time period.
It is important to understand the difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval. A Pre-qualification determines your ability to repay a loan based on information you provide. Your liability, asset and income information are reviewed by a licensed mortgage loan originator to establish the maximum purchase price you can afford and how much you may be able to borrow. A Pre-approval is when your information is reviewed and verified by an underwriter. This involves an analysis of your financial status and credit history. With a pre-approval, you’ll be able to negotiate your home purchase confidently. Realtors and sellers will often take your offer more seriously if you get pre-approved prior to house shopping because it lets them know you are ready to make a deal. A pre-approval may help streamline your process and result in a smoother transaction.
Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
Now that you have initiated the pre-approval process, and have an idea of how much you are comfortable spending, a realtor can help you through the home buying process. Finding the right realtor is just as important as finding the right lender. Make sure that you work with a real estate agent you can trust, has a proven track record, and has your best interests at heart. It’s useful to get referrals from family and friends who’ve been through the home buying process.
Avoid Dual Agents.
It is also commonly advised to avoid dual agents when going through the home buying process. A dual agent is a real estate agent who represents both the buyer and seller in a transaction. This is often a conflict of interest since it’s possible that the agent will not negotiate in the buyer’s interest in order to increase the commission. If you do use a dual agent, make sure it’s someone you trust completely.
Interview several agents before choosing one.
You may consider asking them a set of similar questions:
- How long have you worked in real estate?
- Is this your full-time job?
- Have you sold homes in the area I am interested in before?
- How many sales in this area have you done?
- How many sales have you done in the last year?
- Will you be present for the closing of my loan?
Income Information for Self-Employed Borrowers
- Your personal and business federal tax returns for the past three years.
- A year-to-date profit and loss statement.
- A complete list of all business debts.
Credit Information
- A letter of explanation for any late payments, judgments, collections, or other derogatory credit history items.
- Source of funds documentation for any large deposits on asset or bank statements.
- The judicial decree or court order of each obligation due to legal action.
- Bankruptcy/discharge papers for all bankruptcies in your credit history.
- Payment histories for utilities, cable TV, internet, phone, auto insurance, and any other expenses.
Receive Your New Set of Keys
Congratulations, you are now a homeowner! Although you may now have the key to your future, don’t forget about the key to your mortgage. LeBlanc Home Loans is here to offer you guidance on any future questions or situations that may arise. A licensed loan officer will always be available to help you refinance, use your home equity, or even purchase additional properties to build your investment portfolio.
Guides and Resources
Now that you understand the process that will take place, take the time to understand other benefits and aspects of buying a home. Check out these helpful links to learn more about the resources available to help guide you throughout the loan process.
These resources are available to help guide you throughout the loan process.
Buy a Home
Learn about the benefits of owning your own home, as opposed to renting.
Mortgage Glossary
Learn common mortgage terms that will be relevant to your home buying experience.
Home Purchase FAQs
Consider the most frequently asked questions that our clients ask when buying a home.
Tips for First-Time Homebuyers
Check out this special set of tips if you are a first-time home buyer.
Understanding Down Payments
Not all down payments are created equal. Check out the various down payment requirements.
Tax Advantages
Although you should speak with your professional tax advisor, often there are tax advantages when you purchase a home.
Are You Ready To Buy A Home?
If you think that you are ready to buy a home, then this is the right place for you. Below are general statements to help direct you to a purchase product that might be right for you. Simply complete the statement with an option that best fits what you’re looking for.
I Want To Buy A Home and I …
Want stability in payments & rate
If you’re looking to budget for a loan payment that won’t change as market rates change, then a fixed-rate mortgage might be for you. You’ll have the security of knowing what your payment will be throughout the life of the loan.
Want a low interest rate and am predicting that the rates will stay low while I own my property
If you’re looking for a rate that may be initially lower than a fixed-rate mortgage or don’t plan on living in your home long-term, then an adjustable-rate mortgage might be right for you.
Want a property that needs renovations/improvements
If your dream home is a fixer-upper or one that needs improvements, then a FHA 203(k) may fit your need to combine a home loan and qualified improvement costs together into one payment.
Want a luxury/high-priced property
More expensive or luxury dream homes often require loans that exceed the limit of a conventional home loan. A LeBlanc Home Loans jumbo mortgage can provide up to $3 million in financing to help you secure your home purchase.
Am a Veteran
If you’re a Veteran, then a VA home loan insured by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs can help provide favorable terms on your home loan. You don’t need to be a first-time home buyer and you can reuse the benefit.
Am looking for a low down payment
Finding a home loan with a low down payment requirement, as low as 3.5%, is made possible through an FHA home loan, which is insured by the Federal Housing Administration. FHA loans can benefit first-time homebuyers who may need a co-signer on the loan or have less than perfect credit.
Want a home in a rural area location
Through a USDA rural home loan, purchasing a home in a designated rural area can provide the benefits of flexible credit and low down payment requirements and the security of a fixed rate.
Download this Home Buyers Guide so that you can keep it on hand and refer to it when you need it.