Buying a home? Here's how to prepare

Buying a home is an exhilarating experience. It can also be overwhelming and downright terrifying. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be. When taken step-by-step, buying your first home can be the easy and rewarding experience it’s supposed to be. 

1. Check your credit 

Start by checking your credit report. If your credit score is below 640, talk to an OCCU mortgage loan officer who may be able to help you find simple ways to improve your credit rating. If you have never established credit or if you’ve experienced a major life event that affects your financial picture, a loan officer can give you ideas on how to establish good credit. If your credit score is in need of repair, there are often simple fixes, such as paying off collections and challenging duplicate reporting that will help bring up that score.  

If your goal is to purchase a home, we will work with you as long as needed to help achieve that. 

2. Determine your budget 

Once you understand your credit rating picture, take a look at a mortgage calculator to get an idea how much you can afford and what your monthly payment could be. Adjust the amount of the loan and loan terms, until you’re comfortable. Keep in mind how the interest rate may affect the monthly payment. Don’t forget to include the monthly expense for property taxes and homeowners' insurance in that total number. Consider keeping the total monthly payment to less than one-third of your gross monthly income. 

3. Get prequalified 

Before you start the process to get prequalified, spend time pulling together some important items. The basic documents you’ll need are one month of pay stubs, W-2s from the last two years, investment statements for the past two months and your most recent tax return. Depending on your situation, there may be a few other documents you’ll need. 

You’ll also need some information that will help determine your pre-qualification, including your employer’s contact information, estimates of income, assets and liabilities and the estimated loan amount you’re seeking. 

With those documents in hand and information in mind, it’s smooth sailing through OCCU’s mortgage prequalification process. 

4. Find a real estate agent 

Now that your finances are in order, it’s time to find the right real estate agent to help you find your dream home. A great source for this can be your friends and family. They can recommend an agent to use or even ones they wouldn't recommend. Also, don’t be afraid to ask your mortgage loan officer for advice.   

At OCCU we work with many agents and get to see how they work firsthand. When meeting your agent, be conscious of several things. Make sure they are listening to you and your needs. Are they showing you homes that keep you in your desired price range? When you tour homes, are they pointing out not only the great items that meet your requirements, but also items which may not and could require money and time to fix? Are you able to communicate with them promptly and are they responsive?  

Current inventory of homes in many areas is extremely low and homes are often sold within a day or two. If it takes your agent a day to return your message and they aren’t available to show you homes in a reasonable time, you may miss out on opportunities and become frustrated with the entire process. 

5. Begin the hunt 

Begin with developing a checklist of must-haves to narrow your choices. Consider location and resale value, as well as how many bedrooms and bathrooms you need. Of course, you’ll want to look at a lot of homes. As you look, refine your must-have list as well as your must-not-have list. Your real estate agent can input your must-haves in their system and alert you the moment a home that fits your wish list comes on the market. This is extremely important in today’s market, as there is limited inventory.  

There are also many online resources you can browse. If you find a property that your agent hasn’t shown you, don’t be afraid to bring it to their attention. More than likely something about that home didn’t fit your original criteria, but it might be an item you’re more flexible about. 

6. Make an offer 

When developing an offer that is competitive financially, consider making a personal connection or offer to take on some of the minor repairs yourself. Make sure to include a prequalification letter from your loan officer matching the dollar amount you are offering for the property. 
 
Once the seller has accepted your offer, you should have the property inspected to make sure you’re aware of any potential problems. Meanwhile, your loan officer will arrange for a property appraisal and title search. 
      

7. Sign on the dotted line 

Finally, your loan officer will set a closing date and review your closing disclosure with you to ensure your final costs are as expected. There is a lot to do before moving day but be careful not to make some common mistakes before closing on your house. For instance, big purchases like furniture or appliances can change your prequalified status. So, wait until you’ve closed to take out new credit or make expensive purchases. Also, signing those papers takes time, so don’t try to squeeze it in on your lunch break. Allow plenty of time to review the documents and make sure everything is correct. 
 
If you have questions, ask. It's important to walk away not just knowing what you have signed but being aware of what to expect going forward. Reach out to an OCCU loan officer to start the process.