Home Buying Fears Debunked

 So, you're renting. You would love to buy, but there are so many unanswered questions. The whole process just seems daunting and overwhelming. I know how it is. Being in the military, all I did was rent. My entire thought process was based around "why waste money buying when I'm just going to move in X amount of years?". Now, my thoughts couldn't be any more opposite - "Why waste money renting when I could buy and actually be investing in something?!" I truly believe the main reason why more people do not buy is because of irrational fears about home buying.

 Let's start with the dreaded number...your credit score. For so many people, this is something they consider to be their biggest concern. Whether it's the lack of time that they have had credit, or the hits their credit has taken, people get real skittish when it comes to talking about their score. But let's be honest - none of us are perfect, and it really should not be anything to be embarrassed of. Many other factors come into play when applying for and getting approved for a loan, and your credit score is only one of those factors. Finding the right lender, along with the right type of loan for you, is what will make or break this in your home buying process. I will stress this - With a good lender, almost anything is possible. 

 The down payment. Ohhh the down payment. Everyone knows that the AVERAGE down payment is 20% of your loan. Let's look at that again...AVERAGE. That doesn't mean ALL, and that definitely doesn't mean MINIMUM. Did you know that 60% of first time home buyers put LESS THAN 6% down? That's possible because of so many programs out there that help first time home buyers. Not a first time home buyer? That's ok. There are programs for you too. Sure, a down payment can help your monthly payment be lower. But looking at the reality of so many people these days, having that money stored away for a home is rare. Let me stress again - FIND. THE. RIGHT. LENDER. 

 Trying to "get a better job" because you "can't afford a home"? Let's start by evaluating WHICH home you CAN afford. There will always be a home out there that you can't afford. That I can't afford. That a celebrity can't afford. The trick is finding a home that you CAN afford. No one wants to be tied to a house. And no one especially wants to be tied to a rental. When renting, you're paying someone else's mortgage, plus some. So let's put that "plus some" back in your pockets. Because if you can afford to pay someone else's mortgage, trust me when I tell you, you can pay your own mortgage! Buying a home truly is not as expensive as you may think, and most of the times it just takes a little budgeting. My husband and I just recently bought our second house after deciding to sell our first to downsize. We moved into an apartment until we decided where we wanted to be. Our rent was $1,355 a month (and that included trash and gas). We ended up buying a new build and our mortgage is $1,003 (Learn this about me: I'll talk money - no shame in my game!). Taking away what we pay for gas and trash at the house, that is literally a savings of over $250 a month. Catching my drift?

 Next fear - "If something breaks, I don't have 'So and So' to come fix it for me!" I've got two words for you...HOME. WARRANTY. Almost every single house we sell will come with one, and guess what...the seller can pay for it the first year. Whoop! 

 I get it. Investing in something as large as a home is scary. And there will always be fears and uncertainties. Even for myself as a Realtor, things can be unpredictable. But being represented by a licensed professional who has a great team behind them (ehhmm, THIS GIRL) will totally make your home buying experience two things..1) TOTES POSSIBLE and 2) TOTES EXCITING! 

 Have another fear I didn't talk about? Jump over to my page and shoot me a message. I'd love to help you through it. 

 be blessed, 

leici