home buyer
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Homeowner Costs People Forget About
June 17, 2020
Categories: Budgeting, Mortgage, Personal Finance, Savings
Are you thinking about taking the big step of becoming a homeowner? Purchasing your first house is a significant and exciting change, but it can be easy to get caught up in the excitement and forget about certain costs. If you want to make sure you have all of your financial bases covered before owning a house, keep reading! Lawn Upkeep The cost of maintaining a lawn is one people often underestimate. Whether
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4 Ways to Stay Within Your Budget When Buying a Home
September 18, 2019
Categories: Budgeting, Mortgage, Personal Finance, Savings
The weather is beautiful and homes are popping up for sale everywhere! If you’re on the hunt for your next house, it’s important not to bust your budget. Luckily, we’ve compiled some great ways that can help you stay within your budget when buying a home. Have 20% Saved for the Down Payment While you don’t need 20% saved in order to actually buy a home, there are plenty of benefits that come along with it. In total, you’ll pay less for your home since you’re
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8 Surprising Costs of Buying a Home You Need to Budget For
July 10, 2019
Categories: Budgeting, Mortgage, Personal Finance, Savings
Buying your first home is so exciting. It can also be a little nerve wracking the first time around if you don’t have any guidance. Here’s what you should know about the home buying process before you sign a contract, so you aren’t shocked by the expenses that come along. The Appraisal An appraisal is when you have a home expert come and determine the value of a home. They have no stake in the outcome of their conclusion, so you can expect an honest answer. You will want to
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5 Best-Kept Secrets for Buying a Home
June 12, 2019
Categories: Budgeting, Mortgage, Personal Finance, Savings
Buying a home may be a common practice for the average American, but it is not a simple one. This is especially true if you are new to the game and have yet to learn the ins and outs of the process. No need to worry, we have plenty of experience from our years in the home buying business and are willing to share the best-kept secrets on the market! 1. Start Today If buying a new home seems far into your future, that means you are in the perfect position to prepare. Often, many have dreams of
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7 House Buying Tips to Save Money
May 8, 2019
Categories: Budgeting, Mortgage, Personal Finance, Savings
It’s finally house hunting season and you could not be more excited to get the ball rolling on your big purchase! Before you hit the road or the search bar, take these 7 tips into consideration. 1. Know Your Limits Before signing the papers or falling in love with the first home you see be realistic about what is in your budget. We recommend spending no more than 25 percent of your monthly income on the mortgage. When you know what this number is, be sure to stick with homes in that price
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4 Steps to Buying a Home That Won't Bust Your Budget
April 10, 2019
Categories: Budgeting, Mortgage, Personal Finance, Savings
It’s that time of year when you’re likely to see ‘for sale’ signs on every block. Maybe you already have your eye on one and go out of your way to drive past it on your way home from work. Before you leap into purchasing a home, be sure to take these four steps before signing the bottom line. 1. Understand Your Monthly Expenses Alarmingly, many Americans don’t have a true understanding about what money they have coming out each month. This can be a dangerous territory
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5 To-Dos Before Buying a Home
February 20, 2019
Categories: Budgeting, Mortgage, Personal Finance, Savings
Are you about to begin the hunt for your future home? We understand that the home buying process can become overwhelming, which is why we’d like to offer you a little insight. Start your home buying journey off right by completing this checklist! Strengthen your credit. A 620 FICO score means you can get a mortgage, but that doesn’t mean you’ll want to. According to recent data from myFICO.com, someone with the minimum credit score can expect to pay over $82,000
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5 Creative Ways to Save for Your New Home
January 16, 2019
Categories: Budgeting, Mortgage, Savings
You’ve made the decision that you are tired of renting and ready to step into the world of home ownership. Good for you! You may be wondering what your next steps should be in order to be financially prepared for this major investment. Here are some creative ways to ramp up your savings for this exciting adventure! 1. Consider a Move Now Is the place you’re living in now truly the most cost effective for your budget? Consider moving to a temporary location that can significantly
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So You’ve Bought Your First Home: Savings 101
August 1, 2018
Categories: Budgeting, Family, Mortgage, Savings
Congratulations! You’ve taken a big step in your financial future by purchasing your first home. As a new homeowner, you may be worried about the chunk of change you just spent, and your bank account may be looking a little slim right now. Luckily, Bank of Louisiana is here with a few simple saving solutions to help your funds increase. Slow Your Spending As you have just made a big dent in your savings, now is the time to slow down on your purchasing behavior. Be sure to be aware of
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