Heritage Bank’s Midwest Home Mortgage Team will help you through every step of buying a new home. This Buy a Home Checklist will help you get started. In general, here’s how to begin:
1. REACH OUT TO ONE OF OUR HOME LOAN SPECIALISTS
Get connected with one of our lenders on the Midwest Home Mortgage Team to get your questions answered and your application started. Our lending team will make sure you get off on the right foot and ensure you’re in the best place to buy your new home.
2. Check your credit
Before you start house hunting, it’s important to obtain a copy of your free credit report and check it to make sure there are no problems or surprises. The FACT Act (Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions) entitles all Americans to one free credit report each year from each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
We also have a few other services we use to help you get a better understanding of your credit without hurting your credit scores.
3. Determine what you can afford
Use our online mortgage calculators available in our free mortgage app to get a general idea of your current budget, what you can afford to spend on a home, and what your monthly payment would be.
4. Set up your free Homebuyer’s Analysis
Contact a member of our Mortgage Team to set up your free no-obligation appointment to help us determine which loan program is right for you. We offer special programs for:
- First-time homebuyers
- Veterans
- Farmers
- Rural residents
5. Get pre-approved
The pre-approval process sends you out the door with a letter telling sellers and realtors you’re a serious buyer. This letter allows you to shop with confidence and sign a purchase agreement whenever you’re ready. A pre-approval letter has become the “norm” in real estate transactions since the early 2000’s and has greatly improved the chance that your offer will be accepted by the home seller.
6. Contact our Midwest Home Mortgage Team to help you get started
Have questions about our Buy a Home Checklist? Contact a member of the Home Mortgage Team today.