We will have about $5,000 to put down and haven't been pre-approved yet. We are both 25 years old with a bit of debt from school loans and credit cards, otherwise we both have great credit and are very much on top of our bills. Our debt will not be fully paid off by the time we buy our house but it will be lowered substantially. I just need to know where to start...
2007-08-09 08:14:40 · 16 answers · asked by eliz5560 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
1) Talk to a mortgage broker and get pre-approved to see what price range you are in.
2) Talk to a realtor and view houses that are in your price range. Once you have a house that you are interested in, sign a purchase agreement, which negotiates the price...always go lower than what it is listed at. NOTE: When you sign a purchase agreement, make sure that in the additional comments area list: Subject to financing! You do this even if you have been approved. Why, you may ask, for various reasons such as:
Another house comes on the market that you are in love with and want that one rather than the one you have signed with. Also, if there's something wrong with the house that you didn't notice, like water in the basement, mold in the walls, etc. You can always have your broker state that he is not financing that house and move on to the next one! Many people wish they would have known to do that prior to signing a purchase agreement. After you have a broker and a realtor, it's all their paperwork from there on out. Hope this helped you.
2007-08-09 08:23:51 · answer #1 · answered by Bird Questions 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Get him to marry you first. Otherwise, if it dosen't work out....you'll be screwed...or he will...I don't want to sound biased, old-school or insensitive.
Unless, of course, you don't beleive in marriage, which you have the right to... okay...Im kinda joking...sorta BUT...
In that case, or in any event make damn sure you have a good realtor, and for Gods sake, don't buy outside your means or you will end up foreclosing.
What Imean by this is you must take into consideration not only a mortgage, but closing costs, taxes, homeowners insurance and other fees you WILL have to pay (the amount depends on the community). If you buy a condo, manufactured community, waterfront, or a home in an upscale community, chances are you will also have lot fees which could be tack on another $200 - $300. Instead of a, say, $1000 mortgage you may end up owing close to $1,300 a month. Also watch out for the interest rates....try to stay away from the ones that are NOT fixed.
$5000 is a good start. My husband and I bought and sold 5 houses in 6 years including duplexes and a condo. We now own a duplex. Have you ever considered that? Have your TENANT pay half the mortgage....or even more...
Your first step is, when all is said and done to shop around for a seasoned, licenced well known realtor, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Hope this helped.
2007-08-09 08:35:13 · answer #2 · answered by kERI H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you don't wait to wait until after you get married to buy, my suggestion would be to buy a house that you know you can afford without his income. I'm not trying to be negative, but you never know what tomorrow holds, even if you DO get married, nothing is certain.
The first step would be to go to your local bank. Have them run your credit reports, tell you if there's anything potentially negative there that you might need to take care of.
Then they get you pre-qualified for a loan. That'll pretty much tell you how much money the bank's willing to give you. Then, all you have to do is decide on a realtor and start looking at houses. Remember taxes and insurance though, they can be a HUGE part of your mortgage payment, as much as a typical car payment in some cities.
My suggestion would be to find something that doesn't need renovations, that kind of stress can ruin relationships, even very strong marraiges.
Good luck!
2007-08-09 08:29:24 · answer #3 · answered by Roland'sMommy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First do not get married just to buy a house like everyone is telling you. 50% of 1st time marriages end in divorce and 75% of 2nd marriages end in divorce. You can buy a house with your boy friend and you will be partners 50/50. Just have a contract if you guys break up who will remain in the house or you both decide to sell the house. The biggest problem is neither of you will be able to make the mtg payment on your own, so it will probably a sell. One other problem is $5,000 down is not even close to what you will need at the prices today. If you put down less than 20%, you will need PMI and that will add $200-$300 to your mtg payment if you roll in closing costs you will be backwards from day one. If you do a ARM mtg and the intrest rate goes up so does your payment. Trust me the best way to buy a house is to wait and buy it on your own when you can afford it.
2007-08-09 09:01:03 · answer #4 · answered by Leo F 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
5,000 is NOT enough to buy a house.
Most lender's today require 10% down.
Are you really going to be happy living in a home that cost $50,000???
I don't know what state you live in, but in Arizona you can't find a home for $50,000.
Better wait till you are:
1. Married.
2. Have 10% of the purchase price in cash
3. Have all of the closing costs
4. Have 3 months of living expenses.
Sounds like you need to chill for a year or two.
Hey wait a minute!!!
That will be the bottom of this real estate market and you'll be able to pick up bargains you would not believe, so waiting is not such a bad thing after all.
2007-08-09 12:54:05 · answer #5 · answered by Terry S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start off buy not playing house with a guy you are not married to. I have seen more credit being damaged by a young couple buying a home and 1 getting stuck with the mortgage when the relationship goes sour. The other person refuses to sell or pay the payment. My advise is your both young rent a place, save some money, pay off your debts and then worry about buying a home.
2007-08-09 08:55:02 · answer #6 · answered by Kat G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good credit and on top of the bills is a good thing, but you also have to consider how much you can afford after paying those debts monthly. 5K is respectable but would most likely only cover your closing costs, and in todays mortgage market ie even Alt-A companies declaring bankruptcy, and the influx of even more people about to go in foreclosure as their rates rise would not run the risk of financing 100%, (housing prices are going to drop) and would stay away from adjustable mortgages, unless of course you are looking at losing the place in 2-3 years.
2007-08-09 09:38:57 · answer #7 · answered by Pengy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the other answers on getting married first, then decide if you are in it to stay at that house for a while, or to make some money off of it, then sell it in 3 years. Decide where you want to buy. If your in it to make some money, be sure it's in an area that will help you make the money (No train tracks, to close to the freeway, on a busy street...etc). Decide on what kind of house (Floor plan, Style, size). But most important, talk to a Realtor. We actually found our Realtor on Yahoo Real Estate, he was the best!
2007-08-09 08:28:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start by talking to a local bank or mortgage company. They should be able to pre-approve you for free. As far as waiting for 6 months - the mortgage market is very shaky right now, and some programs may not be available then. I would continue to save as much as possible for down payment and closing costs, in case you are not able to qualify for 100% financing.
2007-08-09 08:23:22 · answer #9 · answered by Mr. Knowitall 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Owning your own home is over-rated. Everything your parents told you about a house being an "investment" is a lie. Homes are big black holes that suck all your money away from you. Sure, a home will appreciate in value, but you will have roof repairs, furnace repairs, driveway repairs. That will leave you with no liquidity for vacations or anything fun in life. Ask yourself why you think you really need to own a home. If the best answer you can come up with is "that's what everybody does" then you'd be better off renting.
2007-08-09 08:25:25 · answer #10 · answered by Matt 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋