How to Find a Home You Can Afford

Unfortunately there are many home buyers out there that don’t have a realistic picture of how much they can actually afford to spend on a home. First time home buyers often make this mistake and end up wasting time and energy looking at homes they can’t afford. Not only do buyers get their hopes up but the hopes of the seller. There is nothing worse than finding a house that you love and going to the bank to get a home loan only to find out that the bank will not lend you the selling price of the home. Because, according to them, you can’t afford it.

When getting pre-qualified for a home loan it is important to remember that, typically, the loan amount plus the taxes and insurance should not exceed 28% of the family’s total income. Also, the family’s total debt payments should not exceed 36% of income.

By avoiding delusions and getting pre-qualified for a home loan, real estate agents can help home buyers in the home buying process eliminate homes early on so the buyer doesn’t waste time looking at homes they can’t afford in the first place.

By knowing what you can afford to spend on a home eliminates the frustration a buyer may feel when they stumble across the perfect home only to find out later through the home loan process that they can’t get financing for that amount. It is hard to lower your standards after this happens. You have already made up in your mind the type of home you wish to purchase.

No home is going to be perfect. Make a list of features you have to have in a home and set realistic expectations for what you can afford. Try to avoid making decisions purely based on emotion and impulse. Finding the right home you can afford may take time. Be patient, you will find the home you are looking for.

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