It is always advised that you start your home buying journey with a bank in order to understand a realist budget and expectations. There is nothing worse than finding a home that you love only to realize it’s a bit out of reach and you don’t qualify for an appropriate loan. You can always shop around even if you are not pre-approved, but it’s advised to at least understand lending power. Coming in with a pre-approval letter with your offer on a home will also catch the eye of the seller!

For some people buying a home makes sense. Sometimes renting is best especially if you want to reduce your responsibilities. You need to determine if you can afford to buy, what you can get for your money and if it’s what you are looking for! Accounting for a down payment and understanding your current debts can help you figure out what is the best option for you. How long do you want to stay in the area? Are you thinking about long term or short?