How to Avoid Borrowing More Than You Can Afford When Buying a House in Dallas Fort Worth

It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of purchasing a home and forget important financial considerations. Let’s look at how to stop borrowing more than you can afford when buying a house in Dallas Fort Worth to keep you on stable financial ground when searching for your next home.

Don’t Rush It

Before we get into the details, the easiest way to avoid getting yourself into a major financial hole is to allow yourself a long, realistic time period to make your purchase.

Making hasty decisions based on knee-jerk reactions is a surefire way to get yourself in over your head when it comes to something as important as purchasing a home in Dallas Fort Worth. You’ll be able to get all of your ducks in a row by budgeting if you take your time and practice patience.

Stick to your budget as closely as possible and save as much money as you can to put yourself in the best possible position when it comes time to make an offer on your dream home.

Run the Numbers

Calculate your debt-to-income ratio as if you were a mortgage lender once you’ve completed your budget and can see your monthly usable savings. 

This is achieved by multiplying the monthly gross income by 28 percent (0.28) and 36 percent (0.36). (0.36). The first amount you get is the maximum monthly payment a lender requires you to make for your mortgage, taxes, and home insurance. The actual amount they want you to pay for your mortgage, taxes, insurance, and any unpaid debts is the second outcome.

If you go over one of these numbers, your mortgage application will almost definitely be rejected.

Minimize Your Debts

Now that we know how easily personal debt can balloon into a major issue, it’s a good idea to do whatever you can to pay off your debts before even putting your house on the market.

Requesting your free annual credit report from the major credit rating agencies is a good place to start. Examine your credit report thoroughly for any inaccuracies or any debts that you might have forgotten about over the years. Make a plan to pay off your loans in your budget, and you’ll be well on your way to a stronger relationship with your mortgage lender.

Be Realistic

As previously mentioned, the rule of thumb for the portion of your income devoted to your mortgage, taxes, and insurance is 28 percent. 

Giving yourself an extra buffer is highly recommended, and it should be factored into your budget to have some insurance in the event that you or a family member loses their work.

Particularly in times of financial stress, it is up to you to know what monthly payment is appropriate, just as your lender is running calculations to assess how much money they can feasibly give you.

Eyes on the Details

When you’ve narrowed down your mortgage options, make sure you understand the various forms of mortgages and their related fees.

Traditional fixed-rate mortgages are still very popular, but some lenders have begun to use adjustable-rate mortgages as a standard.Please bear in mind that the interest rate provided by an adjustable-rate mortgage is the initial interest rate, which will rise with time.

If you don’t understand every detail of your monthly mortgage payment, be sure to ask your lender any questions before signing on the dotted line.

Your Partner When Buying a House in Dallas Fort Worth

Top DFW House Buyers, contact us today at 972-284-9713 if you’re looking to buy a house in Dallas Fort Worth and need someone to help you remember all the little details!