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You’ve decided to start the process of buying a home. Congratulations! Now it’s time to figure out how much money you have, and what you can afford. The goal is to avoid purchasing more home than you can afford, but those variables change. In September 2019, the average price of a new home was almost $363,000. As an average, that may sound a bit steep, especially if this is your very first home.
A home may be one of the largest purchases you make. That’s why it’s important to go in with a clear head and everything aligned. Here are a few tips on learning how to budget when you’re preparing to purchase a new home:
Your mortgage should not be more than 25% of your gross income each month.
Any existing debt you have should be eliminated if you can afford it. The lower your debt to income ratio when you start the process, the better off you will be. Additionally, you should save as much as you can for a potential down payment. Depending on the loan, that will be 10 to 20%.
The figures you come up with will give you a good idea of where you stand and is a good starting point for your initial meeting with a mortgage broker. It’s also a good idea to review the types of loans that you may qualify for and look at the requirements. That will give you a general idea of the amount of money you will need to come up with for a viable down payment.
Although things may seem complicated, once you get started, everything should fall into place. Your real estate agent or mortgage broker will be able to provide more insight once you get started. Take your time and don't rush the process. It will be worth your while in the end.
Robcon Realty is a family-run real estate company located in Vista, CA. Bob Peterson has been a broker for nearly 40 years, and founded Robcon Realty with his wife, Connie Peterson. Their daughter, Robin Hawkins, followed in their footsteps and has been practicing real estate for over 18 years. Over the past few years, four of Bob and Connie’s grandchildren have become real estate agents themselves to continue the proven track record of excellence and joy our family business has provided in finding the perfect home for you.