Buyer Resources

Thinking About Buying a Home?

You don’t have to be ready today to start preparing.

Buying a home can feel complicated, particularly if you’re not sure how much money you’ll need, whether your credit is good enough, what you can afford, or where to begin.

The good news is that becoming a homeowner doesn’t start with finding a house. It starts with understanding where you are today and what steps can help put you in a stronger position when you’re ready to buy.

These resources are designed to help you do exactly that.

1. Could I Buy a Home?

You may be closer than you think.

One of the biggest mistakes prospective buyers make is deciding for themselves that they aren’t ready to buy.

Maybe you’re concerned about your credit score. Maybe you have other debt. Perhaps you haven’t saved a 20% down payment. Or you simply don’t know what a lender would consider.

Before ruling out homeownership, understand what actually goes into determining whether you may qualify and what you can do to improve your position.

Topics we’ll explore:

  • Credit and credit scores
  • Income and employment
  • Debt-to-income considerations
  • Savings and financial reserves
  • Common home-buying misconceptions

LEARN ABOUT PREPARING TO BUY →

2. How Much Money Will I Need?

The down payment is only one part of the equation.

Many prospective buyers assume they need 20% down to purchase a home. That’s not always the case.

But buyers should also understand the other expenses that can accompany a purchase, including earnest money, inspections, closing costs and the cash reserves you’ll want after you receive the keys.

We’ll help you understand the pieces so you can begin planning before you’re ready to make an offer.

EXPLORE THE COSTS OF BUYING A HOME →

3. Is Financial Assistance Available?

Don’t assume you have to do it entirely on your own.

Depending on your circumstances, programs may be available to help qualified buyers with down payments, closing costs or other aspects of purchasing a home.

Some programs are designed specifically for first-time buyers, while others may be available based on income, location, occupation or the property being purchased.

We’ll explore programs available to South Carolina buyers, how they generally work and where to find current eligibility information.

EXPLORE DOWN-PAYMENT & BUYER ASSISTANCE →

Programs, requirements and availability can change. Always verify current program information with the program administrator or a qualified lender.

4. What Can I Comfortably Afford?

What you can borrow and what you want to spend aren’t necessarily the same number.

A mortgage approval tells you what a lender may be willing to lend. It doesn’t know how you want to live.

Travel, hobbies, children, retirement savings, vehicles, entertainment and simply having some breathing room in your monthly budget matter too.

We’ll look at home affordability from a practical perspective so that owning a home can be part of the life you want rather than consuming it.

EXPLORE HOME AFFORDABILITY →

5. Getting Ready Before You Start Looking

A little preparation can make house hunting much easier.

Before spending weekends touring homes, it helps to have your financial preparation underway and understand the buying process.

That may include reviewing your credit, organizing financial documents, speaking with a lender, understanding prequalification and preapproval, establishing a comfortable budget and identifying what you actually need from a home.

Then, when the right property appears, you’re prepared to act.

LEARN HOW TO GET BUYER-READY →

When You’re Ready, Then Comes the Fun Part

Once you’ve prepared financially, established your budget and understand your options, you can start focusing on something much more enjoyable:

Finding the right home.

That’s when we’ll begin exploring neighborhoods, comparing properties, touring homes, evaluating possibilities, preparing an offer and working through the steps that lead to closing day.

And if you’re buying in the Anderson area, choosing the right home also means finding the location and lifestyle that fit the way you want to live.

EXPLORE LIVING IN ANDERSON →

Not Sure Where You Stand?

You don’t need to have everything figured out before asking questions.

If homeownership is something you’d like to work toward, we’re happy to talk about where you are today and help you identify the next questions to ask. If you need advice outside our area of expertise, we’ll encourage you to speak with the appropriate lender, financial, tax, legal or credit professional.

You don’t have to be ready to buy to start getting ready.

HAVE A BUYER QUESTION? LET’S TALK.

A note about these resources

Information provided here is for general educational purposes and should not be considered financial, lending, tax, legal or credit advice. Loan programs, assistance programs, interest rates, qualification requirements and other financial information can change. Consult the appropriate qualified professional regarding your individual circumstances.