Home buying Kingston area can be an exciting yet slightly intimidating experience, especially for those who are buying for the first time. Even once one has found their "dream home" and agreed on a sale price with the seller, there's still a lot that needs to be done before the sale can be finalized. And during this time period, there's a lot that could potentially go wrong. Specifically, there are a few mistakes first-time home buyers will want to avoid before closing.
Being Late on Bill Payments
Accidentally making a late bill payment might not seem like a huge deal, but even one late payment could impact one's credit score. Not to mention, a late payment could leave one with additional fees and interest payments. If one's credit score is significantly impacted by a late payment, this could actually result in one being denied approval for a mortgage, even if they were previously pre-approved.
Skipping the Home Inspection
Another common mistake made by first-time buyers especially is that of deciding to skip the home inspection prior to closing. This may seem like a good idea in terms of saving some money, as a home inspection can easily cost a few hundred dollars (and is usually the financial responsibility of the buyer). However, the fact remains that a home inspection is a good investment because it can alert buyers to potentially serious and expensive problems with the house.
Making Large Purchases
Upon getting an offer approved for a home, it can be tempting to go out and buy all new furniture and decor for the house. However, it's generally best to hold off on making any large purchases until after the closing has been finalized. After all, opening up a new charge account or even charging a large expense to a credit card can affect one's debt-to-income ratio, which can hurt one's credit score and prevent them from getting approved for a mortgage.
Not Monitoring One's Credit
Lastly, prospective home buyers must always keep a close eye on their credit throughout every step of the buying process. Unfortunately, all it takes is one error on one's credit report to turn dreams of home ownership to dust. By carefully monitoring one's credit and disputing any mistakes, it's possible to avoid serious problems with mortgage approval down the road.