9 things to know about buying your first home

1038. Are you thinking about buying your first home but feeling overwhelmed by interest rates, upfront costs, and hiring a real estate agent? Host Laura Adams walks you through 9 tips every first-time homebuyer must know to protect their finances and land the right deal. Key Takeaways: How subtle changes in your credit score can save (or cost) you tens of thousands in today's rate environment. Most mortgage underwriters look for a maximum debt-to-income ratio of 45% to 50%, which includes your existing debts plus the new estimated housing payment. Hidden homeownership expenses—from surging insurance premiums to HOA fees. You should budget 2% to 5% extra for closing costs beyond your down payment to cover loan origination, appraisals, taxes, insurance reserves, and title fees. Why you need an additional 5% of a home’s purchase price saved on top of your down payment. A prequalification provides a loose baseline for house hunting, but you need a verified preapproval before making official offers on properties. Contract contingencies, such as financing, appraisal, and home inspections, safeguard your earnest money deposit if unmanageable structural defects arise. Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Newsletter Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Email: [email protected] or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.