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We have 10 tips to share with you today that will help you prepare for your first home purchase.Thinking of selling? Get a free home valuationThinking of buying? Search all homes for sale on the MLSIf you plan on buying your first home in the near future, here are 10 tips that will help you prepare so you find the best fit possible: 1. Check your credit. A high credit score makes it easier to qualify for a low interest rate. 2. Decide how much you want to spend. While a lender can give you an idea of how much mortgage you can afford, it’s essential to create a budget so you know what you’re comfortable spending on your monthly mortgage payment. 3. Start saving. You’ll need cash reserves in order to purchase a home, and you’ll need to be able to prove to a lender that you can afford payments that might be higher than your current rent payments. 4. Attend a home buying class or seminar. Many lenders, agents, and local nonprofit agencies offer free courses that will walk you through the home buying process and educate you on the financial responsibilities of owning a home. 5. Earn extra cash. If you’re low on cash, as most first-time homebuyers are, consider taking the necessary steps to cut down on your spending or see what you can do to increase your income (selling some of your stuff, taking a part-time job, etc.)."It’s a good idea to talk with multiple agents so you have a better chance of finding one you trust and who has your best interests in mind."6. Start looking at neighborhoods. Unless you know where you want to live, set aside some time to visit a variety of areas. Exploring different locations will help you narrow your priorities. 7. Consult a lender. The sooner you do this, the sooner you’ll know where you stand in terms of getting a mortgage and what you have to do to improve your standing. 8. Visit open houses. Attending these early in your search will help you understand what’s available that may fit into your budget. 9. Investigate down payment assistance programs. It pays to explore these programs, and you don’t have to be destitute to qualify for them. There are over 2,000 across the country that can help you. 10. Interview real estate agents. It’s a good idea to talk with multiple agents so you have a better chance of finding one you trust and who has your best interests in mind. Most importantly, choose an agent who’s the right fit for the job. If you’d like to know more about how you can prepare for your first home purchase or you have any other real estate needs we can take care of, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’d love to help you.