You've got a stable job, saved up a down payment, and even pre-qualified for a home mortgage, so you're all set to buy your first home, right? The short answer to this question is "not quite".
Even though its very commendable that you have taken these important steps before beginning to search for your first home, you are still missing one key ingredient to make sure your recipe for a wonderful home buying experience is complete - and that missing ingredient is a dedicated, experienced real estate agent.
Why Should Buyers Use an Agent?
With all the available real estate apps and listing websites to help locate homes for sale, some buyers may believe that there is no need to work with an agent today. But finding a list of homes to consider is only a tiny part of the buying process.
In fact, using a real estate agent for your home purchase gives you the additional benefits of:
- a more convenient, efficient search process for the right home by helping you develop your list of important features and hone your search to find the homes that will best fit your needs and wants
- knowledge of their local area, including important trends that can affect real estate values and information about homes that may be coming onto the market...
Home buyers who want to buy a home face a variety of different kinds of mortgages. It's important to know what's out there and what makes sense for you before you find yourself locked into an unsatisfying mortgage loan.
Always speak to a mortgage lender to discuss what makes sense for your specific financial situation.
Government-Backed Mortgage Loans
Though not widely known or discussed, most financial loans, including mortgages, are insured in case the lender defaults on the loan. Both the U.S. government and private companies can and do insure home loans. While the most well-known type of government-backed mortgage loan is the first-time home buyer loan, the government provides three types of mortgage loans:
- FHA - Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans were developed to help individuals with lower credit scores and less money to put toward a down payment qualify for mortgages. Because these loans have less strict requirements than conventional mortgages, they are popular among first-time home buyers. If you qualify for an FHA loan, your down payment can be as low as 3.5 percent of the mortgage. However, borrowers will usually need to buy mortgage insurance.
- VA - As the name might suggest, Veterans' Administration or VA loans are only eligible for individuals who served in the U.S. armed forces. VA loans are unique in that they can cover as much as 100 percent of the home...
A Guide for relocating to myrtle beach
SellingMyrtleBeach.com is featured in The Tides magazine, a relocation guide by CRG Companies designed to share tips and information on all the best our Myrtle Beach area has to offer in shopping, dining, education, healthcare, and more! For those of you who are considering moving to the Grand Strand community, The Tides is a great resource for settling in and finding the area's top places to visit.
Make Your Move Now
The Tides relocation guide provides information on the various communities that make up the Grand Strand, annual events you don't want to miss, and which local restaurants you must try! This unique magazine will connect you with our community to assist in making you feel right at home. So whether you need to obtain your South Carolina driver's license, check out the local education systems, or want to shop at the cutest boutique, The Tides has it all. Get your FREE copy of The Tides relocation...
