Rusth Santiago - SWFL Realtor

Purchasing a home isn't the easiest thing in the world . If you want the best chance of getting a home at a great price , you need to prepare in advance .
Check out these 5 tips to ensure you're ready for your new home purchase .

1.Get your finances in order . Your credit your source of income should be stable , your debt - to income ratio should be less than 45 % , and you should have a big chunk of money in the bank to cover the down payment and closing costs and have some money left over .

2. Don't rush it . If you're under the pressure of a big life event , recognize that you're probably creating an artificia timeline for yourself . If you're on a deadline to move out of a rental , set up month - to - month lease instead of racing against the clock
3. Know what you want from the house itself and know what a good , reasonable deal is . Pick out specific neighborhoods and home types and analyze them in advance . Make sure you look at houses that have recently sold , not those that are currently on the market .

4 . When you start looking at homes , consider location - related features like your commute time , the parking situation , the school district and property taxes . Know where you stand on HOA communities and factor any HOA fees into your monthly budget.

5.Once all these things are in order ( and real agent and have been preapproved for a loan ) , you're as ready as you'll ever be . Keep your eyes open for a good deal , and don't hesitate when that deal pops up .