If buying a home has been on your to-do list since you can remember and you’re finally financially ready to make your move, then there are a few things to do before you make an offer. At The Jana Caudill Team, our realtors can help you to prepare, and we’ll support you along your home-buying journey. Here’s our first-time homebuyer’s checklist—

The very first thing that you should be thinking about when you’re buying a home, especially for the first time, is how much home you can afford . You need to take a good hard look at your finances and consider 1) how much money you have available for a down payment and 2) how much you can afford in a monthly mortgage payment. What’s more, also consider what interest rate you may get (based on current market rates, your credit score, your down payment amount, and other factors) and any closing costs you’ll need to cover.

The second thing to think about is what you want out of a home. Make a list that addresses things like:

Type of home (condo vs. single-family vs. townhome)

Other non-negotiables, such as number of garage spaces, basement, kitchen features, etc.

Once you start working with a realtor, being able to share this list of must-haves will be important. Make sure you mark which things are negotiable and which are not.

Now that you know how much of a home you can afford and what you want from a home, the next step is getting your finances in order. You’ll probably need at least two years of tax returns in order to secure a loan, so now’s the time to start organizing those documents. You’ll also need your W2s, personal identification documentation, bank statements, and any other financial documents requested by your lender.

If you don’t already have a lender at this stage, now’s the time to find one! You have a lot of choices when it comes to financing your home, so it’s important to do your research and go with a reputable institution. Note that you likely won’t be able to tour homes until you have your pre-approval letter.

Finally, don’t enter the real estate game without a skilled realtor on your side who can support and advocate for you along the way.

At The Jana Caudill Team, our top-rated realtors are here to help you find the home of your dreams. To learn more about our services , reach out to us directly today.