Buying a home can be expensive, that much should be a surprise to no one. This is especially true if it’s your first home on the property ladder and you don’t have any previous equity or property to use to help you afford it. Here, we’re going to look at some of the ways that you can save money when buying a home, not just in the purchase process itself, but also in the move and getting yourself set up in a new area.
Given how stressful a move and a new home can be, the tips below can help alleviate some of the pressure by making sure you’re not in dire financial straits after.
Have your budget established
How much is too much? What cost would count as a saving? You’re not going to know that until you sit down and really think about what your budget is for your home purchase and move. You want to think about your finances before buying a new home, not just in terms of how much you’re willing to spend on a home, but the costs that can come with it, as well. Put together a total budget that is manageable and won’t leave you in any more debt than is necessary.
Get your credit in order
One of the most important parts of any new home purchase is getting the loan that will help you buy it. If you’re not buying in cash, this will likely be your most available option. To that end, you should take the time to check your credit and to see if there are any issues with it that need to be addressed. Any outstanding debts, problematic credit accounts, or even mistaken bad marks on your name can get in the way of getting the loan that you should otherwise be able to access.
Shop around for loans
Once you have your credit in order and you know your financial situation, including your budget for immediate costs, it’s time to find the right loan. However, you shouldn’t just go with the first lender that you can find. Instead, you can work with a mortgage broker like Your Mortgage Guy, whose job it is to understand the lending market in your area and to help you find the lenders that best suit your need. Otherwise, you can end up paying a lot more for your home than you expect in the long run, due to mortgage fees that you could avoid with the right choice.
Downsize your move
Once you have the home loan approved, and you have the keys to the home, there are still costs to manage, especially in the process of moving your home. While you don’t want to leave everything behind, it is a good rule of thumb that the more stuff that you have to move, the more it’s going to cost you to move them. Take an inventory of all the possessions that you might move and think about whether you really want them or not. You might be able to donate or even sell them to cut your costs and raise some money.
Know what you need from your movers ASAP
Aside from downsizing the move, you should make sure that you’re planning it as soon as you can. Depending on the season, movers can be in high demand and, when they are, the more budget-friendly options can get snapped up quickly. Contact the team of your choice, like Mountain Movers, as soon as you know when your moving date will be. Get a good idea of what equipment they might need, especially if you have any heavy objects in the home, so you don’t get surprised by any additional costs.
Work out the packing yourself
A lot of movers can offer packing services, which can be great if you don’t have the time or manpower to do it all yourself. However, you can save money by taking care of the packing yourself. What’s more, you can also save a little by finding free packing materials. Even something as simple as free moving boxes from your local grocery stores should be enough to help you get started with the move without having to buy much. Look for hardware stores used by commercial businesses to see if you can’t get cheaper supplies like tape, as well.
With the tips above, hopefully, you should be able to spot the opportunity for some savings and avoid the hassle of cutting things right down to the wire in your budget. From there, it can be a little easier to actually enjoy the new home.