Buy a Home in Ashland With This 5-Step Plan

Buying a new home is always a big deal, but buying your first home is an extra special occasion. It can, however, be also be filled with missteps if you go into it blindly and without the right information. If you're starting to feel overwhelmed by all the dos and don'ts of the home-buying process, our REALTORS® can make it easier with our five-step plan for buying a home in Ashland. 

1. Check Your Credit
   Your credit can be a huge factor in buying a home. It will determine how much of a loan you get approved for, as well as the terms you'll be given, which can impact your monthly payments and how much house you're getting for your money. It could even bomb your attempts to buy a house, which makes it especially important to know what your credit report says. At the very least you'll want to check for any fraud, especially given last year's Equifax data breach. You may also be able to improve your credit score, by contesting any fraud or trying to remove anything negative.
   
   
2. Determine Your Budget
   Before you move forward with a lender, you should have a good idea of your budget. This doesn't mean how much a lender will pre-approve you for, but how much you can realistically afford to spend each month. List out your income and all of your monthly bills, paying attention to what is left for a monthly mortgage payment. Also make a list of all of your accounts and debts, as you'll need this information handy when you start talking to lenders.
   
   
3. Get Pre-Approved
   Pre-approval is another important step that you should take before you start seriously looking for homes. Once you find a home you'll want to be able to move on it quickly, and pre-approval is one of the best ways to show a seller that you're serious about buying their home. More than that, though, getting pre-approved will demonstrate to you that you are able to buy a home. It'll also give you a clearer picture of your budget moving forward.
   
   
4. Research Neighborhoods
   Once you have an idea of what you'll have available to spend, it's time to start thinking seriously about where you want to live. You've probably already given some thought to what you want in a neighborhood, but now you can really narrow it down since you'll have a better idea of your price range. When considering a neighborhood, research factors such as the type and size of the average home, cost, crime rates, school data, and the general makeup of the neighborhood.
   
   
5. Shop for Your Dream Home
   Once you've chosen the neighborhoods you want to focus on, it's time to start browsing Ashland homes for sale. With all the hard preliminary work out of the way, this is the fun part, so enjoy yourself while you look for a home in which you can envision you and your family.

When is the right time to find an agent? You may feel better if you have a trusted professional to help guide you through all of these home-buying steps. When the time is right, contact Haring Realty and one of our REALTORS® are ready to help you find your dream home.