Before You Look at Your First House

Experienced home buyers know that one of the first-steps in beginning a successful search for a new house is taking a hard, objective look at finances. Determining how much money you can dedicate to the purchase of your new house affects almost every aspect of buying a new home - including how we write the offer, which mortgage programs you will qualify for, shopping for the best mortgage loan and which homes are truly in your price range.



Here are the questions that each home buyer should ask:

  • How much cash is available for a down payment? The amount you have available for a down payment will affect what types of loans for which you can qualify. Learn more.
  • Am I ready to write a check for the earnest money? Earnest money is a cash deposit made to a home seller to secure an offer to buy the property. This amount is often forfeited if the buyer decides to withdraw his offer.
  • How much additional cash will be available to pay for closing costs? There are certain standard costs associated with closing the sale of a house. These fees are split between the buyer and the seller, as spelled out in the sales contract. Learn more.
  • What is the maximum monthly mortgage payment that I can afford? Most lenders will use the 28/36 rule to determine the maximum mortgage payment you can afford.

The 28/36 Rule
No more than 28% of your gross income can be applied to your mortgage, real estate taxes and insurance. And no more than 36% of your gross income can be applied to your mortgage expenses plus your regular debt expenses (car payments, credit cards, other loans, etc.).


Ben Lane, Watson Realty Corp. 1410 Palm Coast Pkwy NW, Palm Coast, FL. 32137
Marie Lane, Watson Referral Realty, 7821 Deercreek Club Rd., Jackonville, FL. 32256 

 Ben (386-931-8531) Marie (386-931-5727)
ben@twolanes.com  marie@twolanes.com

Knowledge is Power. More Flagler Beach/ Flagler Beach Real Estate/Area Resources. 

Why Title Insurance? | Why Get An Inspection? | Title Information | Contact Ben & Marie | Curb Appeal List | Setting the Sales Price | Tax Closing Costs | Loan-Related Closing Costs | Getting the Highest Price | Selling your own home | Free Market Analysis | Your FICO Score | How Escrow Works | Road to Sold: Sellers | Road to Sold: Buyers | Knowledge is Power | Flagler Beach | Palm Coast | Welcome To Flagler | Customer Testimonials | Who Are We? | Getting You There | Closing Costs | First Time Buyers | Get Pre-qualified | Inspection Tips | Home Buyer Checklist | Looking to Buy? | Tell a Friend | Real Estate Glossary | Our Homes | Looking to Sell? | Featured Properties | Home | Applying for a Loan | Loan Application Checklist | Mortgage Saving Tips | Your Downpayment | Document Your Assets | Your Buying Power | Writing the Offer | Locking in Rates | Lender Types | Staying Approved | Neighborhood Prices | Staging Your Home2 | Staging Checklist | 9 Steps to Owning | ARM Calc | APR Calc | 15 vs 30 Year Mtg Calc | ARM vs Fixed Rate Calc | Maximum Mortgage Calc | Rent vs Buy Calc | Mortgage Calculators | Interest Only Calc | Reasons Homes Don't Sell | Be Accessible! | Buying Foreclosures/REO's | Contingencies in Contracts | The Back Yard | What's Earnest Money? | Plumbing and Fixtures | Real vs. Personal Property | Earning Your Trust | Improvements That Pay

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