Tag Archive for: First-Time Homebuying

First-Time Homebuyer Advice: Navigating The Purchase Process

Buying a home today is more complex than it was five years ago, as the market was gaining intensity – favoring sellers and their interests. Despite the pendulum shifting in the direction of homebuyers, there are those who are overwhelmed by the intricate process of a home purchase. Yet, some of the most intimidated are first-timers, who have never pursued homeownership before. Luckily, there are several programs available that can provide assistance to make this journey a little easier for first-time homebuyers. Below, we’ll attempt to present some of the challenges, resources available and the steps one should take as they seek homeownership for the first time.

The current market presents a myriad of challenges for first-time homebuyers. With rising home prices and limited inventory, finding an affordable home can be daunting. Buyers are still over-bidding now and again, and coming up short in multi-offer situations. In Pennsylvania, home prices have continued climbing, with a median sales price of $216,249 (up 4.2% year-over-year). A housing supply issue exists in the state as well, listings are down 23.4% year-over-year.* Additionally, competition from cash buyers and investors can make it difficult for first-time buyers to secure a home. Furthermore, strict lending requirements and high down payments can also pose challenges for those looking to purchase. The latter might not apply unless loan options such as FHA, VA, USDA and the like are not a possibility. To account for these challenges, first-time homebuyers should do thorough research, work with a trusted REALTOR®, and if they’re serious about shopping for a home in the current climate, be ready to make competitive offers at a moment’s notice. It may also be helpful to consider alternative financing options and be open to exploring different types of homes or different areas (i.e. alternate school districts, check out rural living over suburban or city living).

There’s good news for those who may have been classified as first-timers in the past, but haven’t purchased a home in over thirty-six months. They would likely be labeled as first-time homebuyers once again. In the industry, lenders do have various indicators, differentiating themselves from others in the business. These requirements for buyers can vary from institution to institution. Some of the typical criteria for first-time buyers includes a steady income, where a job history of two or more years must be validated, a clean credit history, a credit score of 620 or more, a debt-to-income ratio below 43% and a loan down payment of at least 3%. Furthermore, if you presently own a mobile home or have owned one within that three-year window, lenders will often grant you first-time buyer status since the rules for mobile-home ownership are unique.

Education in life goes a long way, and prospective buyers would do well to study up. The best way for first-time homebuyers to get educated on available programs is to do their research. First, talk to your real estate professional. An experienced REALTOR® has dealt with your situation before or one that was similar. Your agent will provide you with a roadmap of several avenues to follow, including homebuyer education classes/seminars as well as utilizing various online resources. These services can help buyers figure out their loan options by providing information on different mortgage programs, down payment assistance programs and other financial assistance options. It’s important for first-time homebuyers to take advantage of these resources to ensure they make informed decisions and find the best program for their individual needs. In Pennsylvania, there are programs geared toward assisting first-time homebuyers such as the Keystone Home loan program, the Keystone Advantage Assistance loan program and the HOMEstead program, just to name a few. Each state has programs in place to assist those who can qualify as first-time buyers. Moreover, there are local programs, such as NeighborWorks, who support buyers as they journey toward homeownership.

Buyers should expect help from their REALTOR® as it pertains to available first-time homebuyer assistance programs. After all, that’s the support real estate professionals provide – to counsel their clients in making the best decisions at each stage of their progress. If their agent doesn’t have the answers, they’ll direct them to the experts who do. These assistance programs can be complicated to navigate, but REALTORS® have the knowledge and expertise to guide buyers toward success. They can provide information about the eligibility requirements, the application procedures in addition to the potential benefits of these programs. They can also assist with finding the right program for a buyer’s specific needs and helping them gather all the necessary documents and information. With their lead, buyers can feel more confident and informed about taking advantage of these valuable resources to make their dream of homeownership a reality.

First-time homebuyers, listen up! As thrilling as it is to finally have a place to call your own (and it is), it’s important to manage your budget wisely and ensure you can qualify for a loan. Trust us, you don’t want to end up house-rich, cash-poor, where you’ve pumped all this equity into your home, but you’re struggling to pay your bills month after month, and regretting the decision you made to purchase. Before you buy, do a test run and start by setting a realistic budget and stick to it. Consider all expenses, including homeowners insurance, taxes, mortgage insurance (if applicable), utilities, maintenance and other debts you may have. When the time comes to acquire a loan, do your homework and shop around for the best interest rates and programs to suit your needs. Don’t immediately settle on the first lender you encounter. Don’t be afraid to negotiate and be aware of any hidden fees (such as points). Remember, a little bit of budgeting and savvy negotiating can go a long way in making your dream home a reality.

The good news is more help is on the way for homebuyers. The day when buyers can pay market value for a home without constant interference from other buyers or pay below market value in efforts to get a deal will become a reality once again. A time when buyers won’t feel rushed into making hasty decisions about homeownership is on the horizon. In the meantime, do your search and thoroughly understand all aspects of homeownership before making any decisions. With the right guidance and resources, purchasing your first home can be a rewarding and exciting experience. Happy house hunting!

* Latest Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS® Housing Report – Sept 2023

Other first-time homebuyer resources:
8 Steps You Should Take When Purchasing Your First Home
First-Time Homebuyer Tips

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Purchasing Your First Home? Here Are 8 Steps You Should Be Taking Along The Way.

If you’ve entered the world of real estate as a first-time homebuyer and your head is saturated with questions, then acknowledge that you’ve come to the right place. If the whole process of searching for and purchasing a home has you feeling batty, then be relieved to know you’re completely normal. There are many steps, which you undergo as a buyer, many of which you’ll discover below. If this is your first-time buying a home, we suggest the followings steps as you move forward. Remember, we’re always standing by to provide any assistance you might need.

Commit to the purchase

Sometimes those uncomfortable feelings creep up as you embark on the buying process. These feelings can certainly be good as you want to make sure you’re ready to buy. It is, after all, a large investment you’re undertaking. Homebuyers of all stages in life, but especially first-time ones, should review their financial situation and see how much home they can actually afford. Evaluate factors such as your monthly income and expenses. During this process you’ll also want to bear in mind your debt as well as your credit scores. What are other important benchmarks while evaluating your finances? Saving up for a down payment, having a stable salary, having an emergency fund and knowing you won’t have to move within five to seven years or less make judging if now is the right time to buy a little easier. When you’re serious about purchasing a property, have funds set aside for a down payment, closing costs and other related expenses.

Stay up to date with your credit score

As mentioned above, this a step not to be overlooked. In the months leading up to your home search, stay on top of your credit. Mortgage lenders like to see consistency and predictable behavior patterns from potential buyers. Paying your bills on time is critical, therefore make every effort to do so. Another thing you’ll want to keep tabs on is your credit utilization ratio. This is generally defined as your total credit used versus your total credit available. The lower, the better, and aim to stay below 30%. Your credit history (average age of your credit), new lines of credit and a mix of credit can also affect your score, and in turn, mortgage approval. Speaking to a lender about these things will help provide you context and give you direction as you journey toward homeownership.

Seek out a lender and preapproval

Another consideration to take into account is obtaining mortgage pre-approval. You’ll want to minimize any surprises as well as show the seller you can afford their property. By getting pre-approval for a mortgage and knowing you can purchase a home in a certain price range, you’ll have a clearer picture of your purchasing power. It’s imperative to understand how much home you can afford from the start. This will give you confidence when submitting an offer to a seller, through your real estate professional, once you’ve found the right property. Seek out the expertise of a few different lenders, including at least one local bank. You want to land the best deal, so don’t settle for only one quote. See what interest rates they’re offering and how that will affect your payment. Adjusting the down payment, amount borrowed and the loan term will also affect your monthly principal and interest payment. The lender you choose will also analyze your debt-to-income ratio to see what loan programs you’re eligible for. Popular loan options include: conventional, FHA, VA and USDA.

Wish list

As you begin to assemble your wish list — exciting, isn’t it? — it’s crucial to consider any needs you currently have and any future ones you might be able to anticipate. Create a list and prioritize your needs over your wants. What is essential for you and your family? Think about size, layout and other features. Your research will expose you to different neighborhoods and school districts. Consider your proximity to good schools and amenities that might be of value to you.

Choose a qualified buyer’s agent

This is why it can be beneficial to work with a real estate professional who has a thorough grasp on local market conditions and is very informed about the area you’re interested in. Never underestimate the benefits of teaming up with a REALTOR® or real estate agent, who will represent your best interests and guide you through the buying process. A buyer’s agent will assist you in your search, direct you through showings, offer you sound advice, help you submit an offer, negotiate with the seller, anticipate the next steps, leading you to settlement and beyond.

Home inspection and negotiation

Once you believe you’ve discovered the home, which is a good fit for your situation, it’s important to conduct a thorough inspection with a properly licensed home inspector to identify any potential issues or problems. This can help you negotiate repairs or price adjustments before finalizing the purchase. Remember, when you write up an offer, you can negotiate a number of items other than price, such as repair work or renovations to be included/completed prior to closing.

Under contract

If you’re uneasy about signing a contract, such as an agreement of sale or buyer’s agency agreement, review the documentation with your agent and seek other legal advice, if necessary. It’s important to review all documentation, including the mortgage terms, homeowners’ association (HOA) rules, if applicable, and all other legal obligations related to the home.

Closing costs

It’s easy to forget these upfront expenses as you set sail toward homeownership. In exchange for the services provided by your lender, attorney and/or title company, you’ll need to pay costs for inspections, appraisal fees, title insurance, attorney fees, transfer tax, etc. at or before closing.

Overall, the homebuying process is exciting, but it can be challenging, notably if it’s your first-time. Taking these steps and considerations into account will encourage a smoother homebuying experience.

If you’d like to review these tips as well as download our guidebook for even more strategies in homebuying, click here.

Visit our first-time homebuyer page for more information.

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