• Minimum down payment: 3%

• No geographic restrictions or income limits 

• Homeownership Education required

• Primary Single Unit Residences (including condos)

• At least one borrower must be a 1st time homebuyer (no ownership in last 3 years)
• Borrowers may not have any ownership in any other residential property at time of closing 
• Non-owner occupant co-borrowers not permitted
• Homeownership education: Certificate required when all borrowers are first-time buyers, at least one borrower must complete the course

Are you getting ready to buy a home? If so, here are four keys to being prepared so you can make your very first offer!

1. Know what you can afford and how much cash you will need. Knowing what you qualify for before looking at any homes will save you the disappointment that can come from falling in love with a home that's out of reach. We'll be happy to "pre-qualify" you now so you'll know what will work later.

2. Know where you want to be. Learn about the neighborhood before you make an offer to buy. Sample the commute. Talk to would be neighbors. See the schools, shops and services before you start negotiating.

3. Choose your property type. Consider your range of choices: single family, multi-family, townhome, condo, co-op, new construction, etc. Know the pros and cons of each. Decide which is best for you, and define your search accordingly.

4. Obtain a valid pre-approval before you make an offer. This entails document verification, a credit check and automated or actual underwriting. If all is in order, you will receive the equivalent of a loan commitment that's subject to a contract, appraisal and title work. Your pre-approval gives you and the seller confidence in your ability to close the deal once you find your perfect home.

You will probably buy a home only a few times in your life, but we're laser focused on the process every day. We know how important proper preparation can be to making the process easy and rewarding. Now, so do you.

Here are four great reasons to consider buying a home today instead of waiting.

1. Prices Will Continue to Rise

CoreLogic’s latest Home Price Insights reports that home prices have appreciated by 7% over the last 12 months. The same report predicts that prices will continue to increase at a rate of 5.2% over the next year.

Home values will continue to appreciate for years. Waiting no longer makes sense.

2. Mortgage Interest Rates Are Projected to Increase

Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows that interest rates for a 30-year mortgage have increased by half a percentage point already in 2018 to around 4.5%. Most experts predict that rates will rise over the next 12 months. The Mortgage Bankers Association, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the National Association of Realtors are in unison, projecting that rates will increase by nearly a full percentage point by this time next year.

An increase in rates will impact YOUR monthly mortgage payment. A year from now, your housing expense will increase if a mortgage is necessary to buy your next home.

3. Either Way, You Are Paying a Mortgage

There are some renters who have not yet purchased a home because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. Everyone should realize that unless you are living with your parents rent-free, you are paying a mortgage – either yours or your landlord’s.

As an owner, your mortgage payment is a form of ‘forced savings’ that allows you to have equity in your home that you can tap into later in life. As a renter, you guarantee your landlord is the person with that equity.

Are you ready to put your housing cost to work for you?

4. It’s Time to Move on with Your Life

The ‘cost’ of a home is determined by two major components: the price of the home and the current mortgage rate. It appears that both are on the rise.

But what if they weren’t? Would you wait?

Look at the actual reason you are buying and decide if it is worth waiting. Whether you want to have a great place for your children to grow up, you want your family to be safer, or you just want to have control over renovations, maybe now is the time to buy.

If the right thing for you and your family is to purchase a home this year, buying sooner rather than later could lead to substantial savings.

Some Highlights:

• According to the US Census Bureau, ‘millennials’ are defined as 18-36-year-olds.
• According to NAR’s latest Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers, the median age of all first-time home buyers is 32.
• More and more ‘old millennials’ (25-36) are realizing that homeownership is within their grasp now!