Are you considering buying a home this year? Here are five new year’s resolutions that can help you keep your finances in great shape.
1. Avoid switching jobs.
Income and employment history are huge factors when lenders evaluate your mortgage application. It might be a good career move to switch jobs, but if you want to buy a new home, job hopping can be a red flag. It’s more important that you have a steady job history without any employment gaps. If you do get a new job while you’re house hunting, let your lender know immediately.
2. Reduce your monthly subscription services.
These costs add up, so comb through your monthly bills and see what you can unsubscribe from. If you’re thinking about buying a home, keep your monthly subscriptions to a minimum.
3. Build a good credit history.
Your credit history is extremely important when you’re buying a home. Lenders prefer borrowers who pay off debt in a timely manner. And if you don’t have any credit at all, it will be more challenging to secure a home loan. Collect documents and records that prove you pay your bills on time, as well as student loan debt or cell phone bills.
4. Check your credit score.
A low credit score can negatively affect your interest rate and how much money a lender is willing to loan you. If you don’t know your credit score, many financial websites offer credit score monitoring.
5. Avoid big purchases.
This isn’t the time to buy a car or take an extravagant vacation. Your debt-to-income ratio can significantly affect how much money a lender is willing to give you. Keep your debt to a minimum, and the home buying process will go a lot more smoothly.
