Your Mortgage Minute: Tips for First-Time Buyers

Homeownership can be an excellent financial decision for people at a variety of income levels. We all have to live somewhere. Generally speaking, you will be better off in the long run if you own that space so your housing expense can also be increasing your overall wealth position (building up the equity you have in a tangible asset).

With that being said, the most important tip I can give to a first buyer, or even anyone looking to upgrade, is to create a budget. When you meet with a mortgage lender, they are going to pre-qualify you for a loan based on certain criteria they have in the loan application. What they do not know is the other expenses you have that are necessary or very important to you. If you need to budget for childcare expenses or you really enjoy your gym membership then you need to keep those things in mind when calculating the monthly mortgage payment you are willing to take on.