Choosing a Home

One of the first steps of the homebuying process is applying for a mortgage-and with good reason! Experts recommend spending no more than 30 percent of your take-home income on housing expenses. Contact a mortgage lender to find out how much home you can afford before you get started. This will prevent disappointment later in the process.

You can change a lot of things about your home, but you can’t change where it’s located. How long is the commute to work or school? If public transit is important to you, is it easily accessible? What kinds of amenities are most critical to your daily life? Answer these questions about your dream neighborhood when starting your home search and you’ll be happy for years to come.

Unlike location, a home’s interior and exterior can be changed (depending on how much work you’re willing to do). With a little vision and a lot of elbow grease that below-budget fixer-upper can become the home of your dreams. Renovation loans and incentives can also help you make updates with the help of a home improvement contractor.