Financial Considerations Before Purchasing Your First Home

The spring home buying season is here. It’s the time of the year that many home buyers start shopping for a new home. If you are new to home buying, there are standard financial questions that first-time buyers should answer before purchasing their first home. Owning a home is a great investment, but before jumping into the market, it is extremely important for consumers to consider all costs involved and budget accordingly to ensure they’re able to meet all of their financial obligations.

Here are common financial Q and A’s to ask yourself before beginning your housing quest:

Q: How much money do you have saved up?​
A: Start with an evaluation of your financial health. Figure out how much money you have for a down payment or deposit on a rental. Down payments are typically 5 to 20 percent of the price of the home. Security deposits on rentals are usually about one month of rent and more if you have a pet. But be sure to keep enough in savings for an emergency fund. It’s a good idea to have three to six months of living expenses to cover unexpected costs.

Read more about saving by reading Starting Your Emergency Savings Funds.

Q: How much debt do you have?
A: Consider all of your current and expected financial obligations, like your car payment and insurance, credit card debt, and student loans. Make sure you will be able to make all the payments in addition to the cost of your new home. Aim to keep total rent or mortgage payments plus utilities to less than 25 to 30 percent of your gross monthly income. Recent regulatory changes limit debt to income (DTI) ratio on most loans to 43 percent.

Q: What is your credit score?
A: A high credit score indicates strong creditworthiness. Both renters and homebuyers can expect to have their credit history examined. A low credit score can keep you from qualifying for the rental you want or a low interest rate on your mortgage loan. If your credit score is low, you may want to delay moving into a new home and take steps to raise your score. For tips on improving your credit score, visit aba.com/consumers

Q: Have you factored in all the costs? 
A: Create a hypothetical budget for your new home. Find the average cost of utilities in your area, factor in gas, electricity, water, and cable. Find out if you will have to pay for parking or trash pickup. Consider the cost of yard maintenance and other basic maintenance costs like replacing the air filter every three months. If you are planning to buy a home, factor in real estate taxes, mortgage insurance, and possibly a home owner association fee. Renters should consider the cost of rental insurance.

Q: How long will you stay? 
A: Generally, the longer you plan to live someplace, the more it makes sense to buy. Over time, you can build equity in your home. On the other hand, renters have greater flexibility to move and fewer maintenance costs. Carefully consider your current life and work situation and think about how long you will want to stay in your new home.

To help you navigate the spring home buying season, read Five Financial Tips for Purchasing a Home This Spring.

Find out more about first-time homebuyer options. Find a First Bank Mortgage Home Loan Advisor in your area to discuss your unique situation. They can help you determine if you’re ready to purchase your first home.

 

Credit: American Bankers Association® (ABA)