Tips to prepare for your home purchase, like improving your credit, getting pre-approved, and more.
What should you do to get ready to purchase a house in 2025? I’ve been getting a lot of questions through my website and emails from folks trying to get their home-buying plans for this year.
Now that the holiday season is behind us, it’s time to return to our regular routines and focus on finding a new home. I have four important points to share that can help you in your home-buying journey:
1. Improve your credit. Take a good look at your credit report. Banks use different systems for pulling credit, and you want them to see that you have a clean credit report. Pay down debts and monitor your credit score because it can impact your mortgage rate and loan options. Reach out, and let’s closely examine your credit score and identify items to improve it.
2. Get pre-approved, not just pre-qualified. Being pre-approved helps you know how much money you can borrow and your interest rates for your home loan. This way, you can start figuring out your budget. I can refer you to our trusted local bankers for that.
3. Plan for your down payment. Explore down payment assistance programs and start saving consistently. Hold off buying that flat-screen TV and consider putting it into an account to help you buy a home.
“Prioritize your must-haves versus nice-to-haves.”
4. Prioritize your wishlist. Not every buyer can get everything on their wish list. Decide on your must-haves vs. nice-to-haves before your search for a home. Write down your must-haves on one side of the paper and your nice-to-haves on the other. Then, let’s search for a house that meets your needs.
By following these four tips, you can get ready to buy a home in 2025. I’ll be posting some helpful graphics and resources along the way, so keep an eye out for those.
If you need any help, I’m here to support you through every stage of the home-buying process. Call me at (607) 795-2904 or vickischamel@kw.com, and let’s make sure you’re well-prepared for your home purchase.
