Steps to homeownership
Learn how you can prepare to buy a home.
Housing expenses are often a significant portion of your monthly budget as a homeowner. The good news is they are part of a long-term investment that helps you have a stable and successful financial future. That’s why your mortgage readiness is an important topic to discuss.
A mortgage loan is an amount of money borrowed from a lender, like Veridian, to purchase or refinance a home. As the borrower, you make monthly payments to repay the money within an approved number of years. While the criteria for mortgage approval can vary from lender to lender, there are steps you can take now to improve your chances of qualifying for a mortgage and owning a home in the future.
- Start saving. Many mortgages will require a portion of the purchase in cash up-front, called a down payment. You might also be responsible for the fees (also called closing costs) associated with the sale. Saving today will prepare you for any out-of-pocket expenses.
- Manage your credit score. Independent reporting agencies base this three-digit score on your payment history, length of credit and other indicators of your likelihood to repay a loan. The higher your credit score is, the better. You can raise it or keep it high by paying bills on time and keeping each credit card balance below half of its credit limit.
- Do the math. Consider the monthly amount you could afford for a mortgage. Then, use our online payment calculators to learn what price range you should look at for your potential home. When you’re ready to start shopping, ask us about preapproval and what you’ll need to provide during your appointment.
If you’d like to discuss your unique financial situation and what steps you can take to become a homeowner, let us know using the form below.