Homebuyers: How to Compete in the Spring Buying Market

It is no question that every year, the spring market is competitive. People usually take a break from home buying and selling in the winter then are ready to hit the ground running as soon as warmer weather is on the horizon. This is for many reasons: most people do not want to move during the winter, therefore buyers have trouble selling, many people do not want to move mid school year if they have children and frankly properties do not look as nice during those grey months.

So, spring is right around the corner and you want to jump into the market and most importantly, you want to be competitive. First Ohio Home Finance is ready to help you every step of the way, let’s check out how you can stand out among other buyers to help you get the home of your dreams. When you find the home, make an offer. Here are tips to help you win the offer:

Get Pre-Approved

If you get a lender to look over your financials ahead of time and they preapprove you for a mortgage, you will be able to show the seller you can buy their house. You will need to prepare documents, which can be done way in advance to the purchase. The documents you will need are:

• Tax returns for the past two years W-2 forms paycheck stubs from the past few months
• Proof of mortgage or rent payments for the past year
• A list of all debts, including student loans, auto loans, credit cards and alimony
• A list of all your assets, like auto titles, real estate, any investment accounts and bank statements.

Down Payment

By this point in the buying process, you probably know how much of a down payment you have thus far and how much you can afford. Continue to work to save for that down payment and one of our Loan Officers will walk you through the different loan options and find the one that works best for you and your budget.

Be Smart

When trying to qualify for a loan, this is not the time to book an extravagant vacation or open a bunch of new credit cards. Opening a new credit card may hurt your chances of getting a mortgage or even getting the best rate on a loan. What could save you a few dollars right now, could cost you way more in the long run if your mortgage payments end up higher.

First Ohio wants to help you get the home of your dreams this spring, contact us today to get started 888-818-1850!