Do This if You’re Buying a Home in 2022

For the past few years, the real estate market has been marked by unpredictability and, at times, overheated competition. This has resulted in some buyers bowing out after one too many disappointments while other potential buyers put off their homebuying plans in the hopes that things would settle down.

Whichever type of buyer you are, you may be thinking ahead and planning to begin a search for a new home. If so, it’s vital to prepare yourself for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Financial Preparations

Preparing yourself financially will be one of the most important aspects of your homebuying plan. While many potential buyers have a good grasp of the savings required for a down payment, they may not be prepared for the other expenses associated with homebuying, including:

• • Earnest money deposit (EMD)
  • Closing costs
  • Application, origination, and underwriting fees
  • Home inspection
  • Pest inspection
  • Appraisal
  • Moving expenses

Of course, one of the factors that has made the housing market so active over the past year and a half has been the record-low interest rates for home loans. As you prepare to purchase a home in the near future, you’ll want to keep track of those rates. While they are not projected to rise significantly, they are likely to go up, so it’s important to gauge the impact that upcoming changes will have on your bottom line.

Remember, the terms of your mortgage can be highly variable depending on your overall financial history and your creditworthiness. A lower credit score can have a significant impact on your interest rate and chances of approval. Be sure to check your credit report well ahead of time to ensure that there are no surprises and to make any needed adjustments.

In addition, be mindful that a lower down payment mortgage option may result in the need for additional mortgage insurance, raising your monthly payments. Take this into consideration as you plan your homebuying budget.

Market Research

Planning ahead for your home purchase gives you a great chance to do some research on your chosen neighborhoods. While this includes proximity to work and neighborhood amenities, it should also include tracking the prices of comparable properties in your target area.

Talk with a real estate agent or broker to develop a baseline for current comparable home prices and historic trends in the neighborhood you’re interested in. Remember that there has been significant market movement over the past year and a half, with home prices rising at a record pace in many communities. Understanding this change in home values can give you a more realistic perspective.

In addition, you should work with a real estate professional now to develop a targeted search based on your neighborhood and property preferences. This will allow you to see when new properties come on the market that fit your criteria so you can begin to develop a sense of how values will change over the next few months.

Real estate inventory has been low in many places, driving home prices higher and resulting in multiple offers for most new listings. You may have experienced some of these competitive situations and backed off from your home search temporarily. If you continue to see low inventory levels in the months ahead, talk to a real estate agent about alternatives, including:

• • Alternative neighborhoods
  • Adjustments to your wish list
  • Availability of fixer-upper properties
  • New construction in your market
  • Changes to your financing to make your offer more competitive

Mindset Shifts

The homebuying process can be mentally and emotionally draining, especially if you have had some difficulties in the past with a previous offer. Consider the following mindset shifts to set you up for a more positive experience this time around.

• • Instead of focusing on easy fixes like paint color or appliances, focus on the bones of the house, the location, and other factors that aren’t as easy to change.
  • Remember to set a budget that makes sense for your lifestyle. You don’t want to over extended yourself if you normally spend a fair amount of money on travel and entertaining, for example.
  • Understand that creating your home is a process that can take months or even years. You don’t have to replace all your furniture when you buy your new house or have two new cars in the driveway. Take your time, and make changes that are meaningful to you without the financial pressure of a full-scale transformation.
  • Know that there are always twists and turns on any worthwhile journey, and buying a home is no exception. Delays and setbacks may come. Prepare for them emotionally in advance, and remember that the only thing to expect is the unexpected.

A trusted real estate professional is a valuable resource who will be with you every step of the way to the closing table and beyond. Collaborate early with an agent or broker so that you are better prepared for your 2022 home purchase.