There’s really only 1 answer to this question and it’s a positive one… There’s a whole bunch of reasons why you must talk first with a bank and get pre-approved before looking at homes. Front and center, checking with the bank before seeking for homes can help you understand exactly how much you can afford to spend. It’s a waste of time to see homes that are listed for $250,000 if you can only afford up to $200,000 of a mortgage…
If you’re a first time home buyer, checking with a bank before seeing homes is strongly recommended, as there are many first time home buyer programs available. These programs can differ from state to state and county to county, so knowing exactly what’s available to you, is crucial!
Buying a house is a pretty serious investment of money, a long-term one. This being said, renting can be kept as a better option for some people, depending on their specific circumstances. The current interest rates are incredible. A 30-year FHA mortgage can be locked in at a rate of around 3.5%. Since the interest rates are so small, it actually can be more viable to pay a mortgage tomorrow, than continuing paying your monthly rent today… But before you decide, ask yourself few critical things. One of the most important questions to consider is the length you plan on staying in a home, if you were to purchase. If the answer is a couple of years, then renting out is a smarter decision for sure!