first-time homebuyer tips

The best advice is to learn from the mistakes of others. Here are two of the most common mistakes I see: • Not knowing what you can afford. Examine your budget, get a copy of your credit report, and sit down with a qualified lender to determine how much of a loan you can afford. Ask your REALTOR® for several lender recommendations and comparison shop for a mortgage before looking for a home. • Forgetting to consider the overall costs of home ownership. You can make the monthly payment, but remember to add in the cost for homeowners’ insurance, property taxes, utilities, plus maintenance.