Create a budget:
Before you start the homebuying process, it’s important to determine how much house you can afford. Start by reviewing your monthly income and expenses to determine if you’ll have enough cash left over to put toward a monthly mortgage payment. You can use an online calculator to estimate your loan payments based on your loan amount, repayment term, and the APR you might qualify for. Lenders will look at your credit to determine whether you qualify for a mortgage.
. If you find any errors, like incorrect late payments or closed accounts reported as open, report them with the appropriate credit bureau to potentially boost your score.Getting pre-approved shows sellers that you’re a serious buyer and gives you an idea of how much you can afford to spend. The pre-approval process typically involves a hard credit check, a review of your financial records, and a brief application.
If you qualify for pre-approval, the lender will send you a pre-approval letter that’s good for 30 to 90 days. The letter will detail how much you’re eligible to borrow and what interest rate you’ll qualify for.After getting pre-approved, shop around and compare annual percentage rates from multiple lenders. APR includes your interest rate and any fees associated with borrowing a home loan.Once you find a home within your budget, submit an offer.