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10 Ways to Save Money On Buying A Home

September 16, 20235 min read

Top 10 Ways To Save Money on Buying a Home Today

The prospect of buying a home amid high mortgage rates and rising prices can be daunting, especially for first-time homebuyers. But even in this challenging market, there are opportunities to save money and secure your dream home. Below, we've expanded our list of cost-saving strategies to include some additional considerations such as buying down mortgage points, considering new construction, and utilizing various loan types.


1. Improve Your Credit Score

A better credit score can make you eligible for more favorable mortgage rates, potentially saving you thousands over the course of your loan. Check your credit report for errors, pay off any existing debts, and build a strong credit history to improve your score.

TIP: Investopedia has a great article on how to do improve your score quickly.


2. Study & Shop Mortgage Rates

Never settle for the first mortgage rate you're offered. Use online platforms that allow you to compare multiple rates at once, and consult traditional financial institutions. A small difference in interest can mean big savings over time. If you have a lender you like, even check if they will match another lenders rate you received. Once you find a lender that is consistency lower than the rest, study the mortgage rate trends trends to lock it in once you see a downward trend (even if just a little).

Tip: Check out the Freddie Mac site for the latest rate trends.


3. Buy Down Mortgage Points

Buying down your mortgage rate by paying for points upfront can result in lower monthly payments and less interest paid over the life of the loan. While this requires a larger initial outlay, it can save you money in the long term especially for 15 or 30 year fixed rate mortgages.


4. Consider New Construction Homes

Newly built homes often come with the incentive of the builder buying down your mortgage rate, saving you money. Make sure to ask builders about any promotional rates or incentives. They may start off a bit higher because they are brand new, but that also means lower maintenance costs in the long run because most of the home will be under warranty.


5. Leverage Down Payment Assistance Programs

Various federal, state, and local programs offer down payment assistance for first-time buyers. These grants or low-interest loans can significantly reduce the amount you need to save for a down payment.

TIP: Check out this Forbes Advisor article for a list of programs by state.


6. Choose a 15-Year Mortgage

If you can afford higher monthly payments, a 15-year mortgage not only allows you to own your home sooner but also can offer lower interest rates than a 30-year mortgage. This can result in substantial savings over the life of the loan. Note: A 15-year fixed loan will likely raise your monthly payment. On the other hand, you'll save money on interest, since you'll pay off the loan sooner. You'll also typically get lower interest rates compared to a 30-year loan. This can help you save even more in the long run.


7. Snag a VA, USDA, or FHA Loan

If you’re a veteran, you may be eligible for a VA loan, which often requires no down payment and offers favorable rates. Similarly, USDA loans are available for rural homebuyers, and FHA loans can be a good option if you have a lower credit score. A USDA loan is a mortgage that is either issued or guaranteed by the United States Department of Agriculture. According to the Housing Assistance Council, 97% of U.S. land is located within USDA loan–eligible boundaries, where about one-third of all Americans currently reside.

TIP: Get a list of homes from your realtor that qualify for a USDA loan and save yourself the hassle of checking each time.


8. Negotiate the Sale Price and Closing Costs

Negotiating the home price or other costs that go into a home requires a good realtor to guide you through the negotiation process. This is harder to do with homes that are new to the market or have lots of interest, so carefully consider all the factors - how long has the home been on the market, are their similar homes available, etc.


9. Look for Less Expensive Areas or Fixer-Uppers

Consider areas that are up-and-coming or homes that need a little TLC. These options can be more affordable, and the latter can also offer the potential to build equity quickly through improvements.


10. Take Advantage of Off-Season Buying

Believe it or not, the real estate market has its seasons. Typically, demand is lower during the winter months, which means less competition and more motivated sellers. By buying a home during the off-season, you may be able to negotiate a lower sale price, or get additional concessions like closing cost assistance or home warranty inclusion.

Despite today's challenging market conditions, savvy first-time homebuyers have several routes to homeownership that won't break the bank. From improving your credit score to considering different types of loans, these strategies can help you secure a home without compromising your financial stability. Happy house hunting!

Up Next: Check out our Pitfalls to Avoid for First Time Home Buyers >>>>>


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Stacy Esser

SEG RE COACHING| Top 1% in the NJMLS | Best in Bergen Mag | John Maxwell Coach | Stager | Lux Specialist | Real Trends America’s Best | Women to Watch

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Our 6 Step Buyers Process

Beginning your home search can be an overwhelming and daunting task. Because of that, our team makes sure that you, and all other potential buyers, understand each of the 8 steps that we take to make the process as easy and painless as possible. By the end of your search, with our support and guidance, you will live happily ever after in your new, dream home.

Financially Map Out Your Success

Our agents get to know you — Need to move for a job? Want a shorter commute? Getting married? Having a baby? Need to upgrade or downsize? At this stage in the process, we’ll send you notifications about the listings that you’re most likely to be excited about. Be sure to let us know if one (or more) jumps out at you so that we can skip to the next step and schedule a viewing. be there for you every step of the way.

Success for each person looks different. A growing family or new empty-nesters have different needs. Our goal is to map out your goals financially to get a good understanding of what you need in a home but also what makes the most sense for your specific situation - both from a time and money perspective.

Buyer Matching & Office Exclusives

We’ll introduce you to our mortgage partner, who can help you determine your buying price range with confidence. Be prepared to dig into paperwork during this part of the process such as pay stubs, W2’s, and tax returns. The lender will do a full review and then tell you what you will be able to borrow in order to purchase a home. This is a vital step in the home buying process!

During this process, we will be sending you some listings to evaluate and provide us with feedback. This helps us to understand, update and revise your criteria and preferences. Our agents are always super involved in the community so they can provide you with tons of information about the areas you are interested in. We will also use this information to setup notifications of listings to you and evaluate any office exclusives (homes that are not yet listed in the MLS) so you are the first to see the property.

Let the Showings Begin

Here’s where the buying process gets really fun! We’ll attend open houses together and schedule viewings of the homes that you’ve loved from our listing alerts. Many of our clients prefer us to consolidate to one day of searching or have specific times that work for them. We handle all the coordination so you just have to show up! We’ll talk about how the budget will work and make sure that we find you the perfect home.

Strategic Negotiations

When you’re ready to make an offer, your agent will present a written offer to the seller. We also present your offer using video to help make a bigger impact and showcase our commitment to the sale of the home. And while everyone loves getting their offer accepted right away, the seller could come back to us with a counteroffer, or reject your initial offer all together. We’re happy to walk you through each of these possibilities and exactly how to handle them. Once the offer is accepted, it’s time to get your financing in order and move forward to the next step!

Prep for Close

The sellers accepted your offer, and the home is going through appraisal and inspection. The appraisal guarantees that the price of the property matches the condition of the property while the inspection makes sure that everything in the home is functioning properly and there are no major issues inside. These are the last steps before the shiny keys to your home are placed in your hand... for good!

Segue to Your Next Chapter

Get excited because it’s time to close on your home! This process includes going through all of the final paperwork and signing your name (a lot!). Don't forget to bring all of the paperwork you’ve collected along the way and your down payment.

But we know it doesn't stop here. You likely have a lot to coordinate, movers, painters, handymen etc. We will help you to SEGue into your next chapter seamlessly. Even make some introductions to some neighbors! You can count on us!

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