Your comfortable budget is personal.
Start with your whole life, not only a purchase price. Think about savings, regular expenses and the room you want for unexpected repairs.
THE HOME JOURNAL / A FIRST-TIME BUYER’S STARTING POINT
Five things I wish
every home buyer
would know.
A thoughtful start to a very personal journey.
The down payment is only one part.
Closing costs and ongoing ownership expenses matter too. Build a plan for both the day you receive the keys and the months that follow.
Compare the whole loan.
A rate is one part of the picture. Compare Loan Estimates, fees, credits and the repayment term for similar offers.
Preapproval is a beginning.
It can help you prepare, but it is not a final commitment to lend. Keep asking what information and conditions remain.
You deserve clear answers.
Read the documents, ask about anything unfamiliar and take time to understand changes. A good conversation can make the next step clearer.
Educational information informed by CFPB’s Buying a house guide. Not personalized financial advice.
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