Steps for First Time Home Buyers & Loan Programs in Colorado

Many potential first-time home buyers are understandably overwhelmed by soaring home prices, lack of inventory, rising interest rates and are feeling deflated. They losing hope that homeownership is not in their future. I'm not here to sugarcoat the fact that it can be very challenging in 2024 to purchase your first home, condo or townhome. The reality is you have to live somewhere, so as long as you qualify for a home loan, why would you want to keep helping your landlord pay his mortgage while building wealth at your expense? There are several loan options that only require a 3% down payment or $0 down for Veterans using a VA Loan benefit! I can also show you to to access to down payment assistance programs - including some that that only require $500 or $1000 down. There's also a First‐time Homebuyer Savings Account

The information below will help you gain knowledge about the home buying process and will hopefully give you the courage to keep that dream alive. The first bit of advice I will give you is to hire a buyer's agent who will look out for your best interests and make sure you are not making mistakes than can cost you several thousands of dollars. This is the biggest financial decision you will ever make, so it's essential that you work with a professional, trustworthy Realtor who's there for you every step of the way. #JustCallAnts at 303.520.3179

2024 Home Buyer's Guide

Steps for First-time homebuyers

Preliminary Footwork
Author and real estate broker Jim Stacey claims that there are three stages for the first-time home buyer: contemplation, comparison, and commitment.  He urges prospective buyers to get through the first stage on their own, with the help of friends and family members.  The road between contemplation and being ready to commit to buying a house is arduous and emotional, and Stacey has learned that the best use of a broker's time and skills is to enter the fray after buyers have done some preliminary footwork.

STEP 1.
Figuring Out What You Want
No matter how well you can picture your dream house and communicate your idea to me, the house you finally fall in love with may have little resemblance to the image you started out with.  But you have to begin somewhere, and a detailed wish list is a great head start.  Let's say your wish list looks like this, in order of priority:

• Two bedrooms, two baths

• Safe, quiet neighborhood

• Garden

• Ability to add on

• No major repairs needed

• Near close friends or family members

• Close to downtown

• Craftsman-style detached home

• Lots of natural daylight

• Parking

• Good investment with excellent resale potential

• Affordable property taxes

• Enclosed laundry area

• Walk-in closet in master bedroom

• Storage space for lawn/garden and sports equipment

• Gas hookup for stove

• Back deck or patio

• Close to work, schools, church, shopping

• Finished basement for office or guest room

• No threat of commercial encroachment

• Hardwood floors

• French doors leading to backyard

• Close to public transportation

Now, how would the list change if you had to settle for only 10 of your wishes in your price range?  If you had to narrow it to five, would your top priorities be different?  When you start looking at houses, this information will be invaluable to a Realtor as he or she matches your requirements to available houses.

STEP 2.
What Can You Afford?
Every market is different, but the first step to answering this question is finding out what you can afford on a monthly basis after you've made your down payment...3%, 5%, 10%, or 20% of the purchase price of the house. Speak to a mortgage loan officer. The best way to learn what you can afford is to get pre-qualified for a loan.  I have excellent resources to local mortgage lenders who will ensure that you get the best loan rates and terms. Pre-qualifying won't cost you anything and you'll walk away with a good idea of how your income, assets, and liabilities translate into what you can afford, and it can also help your chances of beating out the competition in a sellers market (where there are more buyers than houses on the market).

Preferred Local Mortgage Lenders

 Union Home Mortgage - Tiffany Swisher @ 303.884.4137
  Home Mortgage Advisors - Deana Hollstein @ 303.818.0522
  Nexa Mortgage - Lainie Chambers @ 720.495.2788

Do the math.  You can also do a simple calculation on your own. Broker wisdom says that monthly payments should be 25 to 33 percent of your monthly gross income. Use my simple loan calculator to get a rough idea.

Take heart in knowing that most first-time buyers are simply getting into the market.  Your dream house may be two or three houses into the future, so don't feel like you have to spend every penny you can afford if it means trading off some cherished freedom.

STEP 3.
Starting the House Hunt
Now that you have an idea of what you can afford, you can focus on whether you're in the market for a condominium, loft,  townhouse, single-family detached home.  Call me at 303-520-3179 and I will help educate you about what to look for and avoid, provide reliable references for other experts you'll need along the line - such as lenders and inspectors - and represent you in negotiations and at closing.

Now you're ready for the fun stuff: pounding the pavement.  Go to as many open houses as you can stand, even at times when I'm not available, and then go to another - (just be sure to sign in under my name).  In the neighborhoods you're considering, include some homes you know you can't afford and some priced below your means.  Think of it as leveling out your learning curve.

Talk to friends and family about their buying experiences.  People are often surprisingly open about what they've learned about financing, construction - and even themselves - in the course of buying their first house.

If there are times when you just can't bear to see another overpriced house with kelly-green shag carpet, take a day off - and remind yourself that someday you'll know it was all worthwhile.  Enjoy the article on "Nine Steps to Buying Real Estate & Homes in Denver Colorado" or take a look at my Colorado Community Resource Directory featuring links to schools, city government agencies, shopping, dining, entertainment and more!

As your REALTOR, I'm here to make sure:
   1.  you fully understand what it takes to purchase a home
   2.  you work with reputable mortgage lenders who won't take advantage of you
   3.  you are utilizing every available first-time buyer resource available
   4.  write an purchase offer that protects you before & after the sale
   5.  that all of your questions are answered in a timely & professional manner
   6.  you don't get overwhelmed with the process - I'm here for you!

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