Tag Archives: home buyer

7 Surprising Costs of Buying a Home

Buying your first home is so exciting. It can also be a little nerve-racking. Here are some home buying expenses to consider before becoming a homeowner.

The Appraisal

An appraisal involves having an unbiased, professional appraiser determine the market value of the home. An appraisal helps ensure that you do not pay more for the home than what it is worth. This costs an average of $300 to $400, and should be factored into your budget.

Home Inspections

Not to be confused with appraisals, home inspections more closely examine the condition of the foundation, plumbing, roof, attic, appliances, electrical system, and more. An inspection will help you understand which future maintenance repairs to expect. The average cost of a home inspection is $325.

Closing Costs

While sellers pay most of the closing costs, buyers should expect to pay an average of 2% to 5% of the home’s purchase price in closing costs. This typically includes application and recording fees, flood certification (in some areas), taxes, and title searches.

Homeowners Insurance

If you rented prior to this, you may be new to homeowners insurance. It differs from rental insurance, as that covers your liability and personal items, while homeowners insurance also covers the physical structure of a home. The average cost of homeowners insurance in Iowa is $1,205.

Home Maintenance

The nice part of renting is not being responsible for home maintenance. The maintenance that comes with home ownership may require items like a lawnmower, gardening equipment, a ladder, and a snow blower.

Homeowners Association Fees

A homeowners association (HOA) is an organization that enforces rules and regulations for the properties and residents. Purchasing a property within an HOA’s jurisdiction will require you to pay HOA fees. The fees go toward maintaining properties and shared services among the community. HOA fees vary drastically, with an estimated average of $200 to $300 per month for a single-family home.

The Big Move

The move itself can be a significant expense, especially across state lines. Depending on the size and distance of the move, hiring professional movers may cost between $300 and $5,000.

Budgeting for these costs will allow you to have a realistic price in mind when house hunting. Our team offers great insight into our mortgage products. Discover more today!

Budgeting Checklist for Buying Your First Home

Buying your first home can be an exciting but overwhelming experience. The right bank and agent can take most of the hassle off of your shoulders. Make sure you’re checking these items off of your list to allow for a smooth home buying journey – without breaking the bank.

Check Your Credit Score

Making sure your credit score is high and on the rise will allow you the opportunity for better rates! Look for any issues with your report and contact the credit bureau to have them fixed.

Gather Your Documentation

Have your documents in order when coming to the bank to discuss a pre-approval letter and loan. Contact us in advance to find out which documents we require. To help you get started, you should plan to have the following documents when applying:

Income and employment verification – Last two years’ tax returns, W-2s, 1099s, and your last few pay stubs
Identification – A primary form of photo ID (driver’s license or passport), and a secondary form of ID (Social Security card, student ID, insurance card, etc.)
Financial condition – Bank and brokerage account statements including retirement accounts, proof of funds to close, or a gift letter (if your down payment is coming from a gift)

Secure Pre-approval

A pre-approval letter shows a buyer that you are serious and have the funds to afford the home. This also lets you know how much house you can afford, so you don’t start hunting for houses that are out of your budget.

Decide On Your Max

Even if you can afford a certain amount, not spending it all may be wise. Scale back a little and decide on the price you’re willing to spend. Hold yourself accountable to not pass that limit.

Think Of Additional Expenses

Repairs, maintenance, monthly bills, moving costs, and closing costs will all factor into your budget. Know how much income you earn each month and subtract all of these costs; then subtract your daily expenses (such as gas and groceries). This will show you how much you will actually have to put toward your mortgage payments. Deciding on your max budget will help you know your purchasing capacity and live more comfortably.

If you’re looking for a great rate on your mortgage, contact us or stop by the bank. We will be happy to help you along the path to buying your dream home!

4 Steps to Buying a Home That Won’t Bust Your Budget

It’s that time of year when you’re likely to see ‘for sale’ signs on every block. Maybe you already have your eye on one and go out of your way to drive past it on your way home from work. Before you leap into purchasing a home, be sure to take these four steps before signing the bottom line.

1. Understand Your Monthly Expenses

Alarmingly, many Americans don’t have a true understanding about what money they have coming out each month. This can be a dangerous territory to get into, as it’s likely that there are a significant portion of the expenses that may be unnecessary. Take the time to have an understanding of what each of your monthly expenses are and if any can be cut or lessened. Maybe there’s a subscription you’ve forgotten about or haven’t realized how much money you are putting towards name-brand groceries each month.

2. Know What You Can Afford

Once you have your expenses broken down, you will have more of an idea of what you have coming out. Next, you should understand what you have coming in. Account for each person’s income contribution for the home. Subtract your monthly expenses from the after-tax amount and you will have an idea of what you can afford. You may want to consider meeting with a mortgage specialist to have a robust account of what homes could be in your price range.

3. Understand Home Buying Expenses

Being a homeowner comes with many responsibilities that sometimes can’t be accounted for. From broken pipes or a leak to a busted HVAC, the costs can be overwhelming at a moment’s notice. It’s important to understand the expenses that may come out of home ownership. Even if there isn’t something breaking, you have the responsibility of additional upkeep.

4. Set a Goal

Once you have a complete understanding of where you are and where you might be, you can set a goal. If the house you want is out of your price range, make it a goal to be able to afford a home like this. Take a look at what expenses can be cut in addition to how you can make additional income to get you to your goal within a reasonable time frame.

Don’t strap yourself into a payment that won’t fit your lifestyle. Allow us to help you purchase your dream home with a mortgage from Iowa State Bank!

5 Best-Kept Secrets for Buying a Home

Buying a home may be a common practice for the average American, but it is not a simple one. This is especially true if you are new to the game and have yet to learn the ins and outs of the process. No need to worry, we have plenty of experience from our years in the home buying business and are willing to share the best-kept secrets on the market!

1. Start Today

If buying a new home seems far into your future, that means you are in the perfect position to prepare. Often, many have dreams of a new home but don’t start planning practically for how to get there. Maybe you haven’t bought that new home yet because you’re not financially ready for the investment. However, that doesn’t mean you don’t have a way to prepare. With a home purchase, you will have closing costs and a down payment. Start saving for this now! Imagine how much quicker you can get not only to your goal of home ownership, but having the ability to purchase the home you want without the down payment and closing costs being an inhibition. Additionally, the more you’re able to put down up front, the less your monthly payment will be!

2. Don’t Go Big

The saying, “go big or go home,” doesn’t apply to the purchase of your home. The big, shiny house on the block may catch your eye, but may not be the house for you. Often, people see a big home and instinctively want it to be their own. Yet, this may not always be the best choice. Large homes can be difficult to resell, as the market for them is different. Not to mention, you’ll have additional utility and upkeep costs that come with increased square footage. You have a greater chance of profiting off of a smaller home when it comes time to sell than a large one.

3. Go Shopping

For the open houses that you see as you drive around town – go to them! Become familiar with a variety of homes and their details. What are they pricing homes at in the neighborhood? What is the structure like? Ask as many questions as you can, and expose yourself to a home you may have not considered before. You may be surprised by what you like!

4. The Secret Bid

Know your limits and stick to them. There are many that buy more house than they can truly afford. This is why it’s important to not fall in love with the home until everything is signed. Meet with an inspector and make a fair offer, but realize that this is likely not going to be accepted in round one. At the same time, it’s important to not automatically shoot too low, as it may offend the seller which can set a rigid precedent for any future bids. Do your research on the property and the neighborhood before deciding on the first bid.

5. Negotiate, Negotiate, Negotiate

This is where the communication gets tricky and scares the newbies. Haggling might not be a common practice in our culture, but this is the time to be bold. Don’t hesitate on going back and forth on an offer. This is a normal process and it makes you a smart buyer.

When looking to buy a home, Iowa State Bank offers options suitable for your financial needs. Contact us today for more info.

7 House Buying Tips to Save Money

It’s finally house hunting season and you could not be more excited to get the ball rolling on your big purchase! Before you hit the road or the search bar, take these 7 tips into consideration.

1. Know Your Limits

Before signing the papers or falling in love with the first home you see be realistic about what is in your budget. We recommend spending no more than 25 percent of your monthly income on the mortgage. When you know what this number is, be sure to stick with homes in that price range. Don’t even go into homes that are going to be proportionately out of that limit, or you may kick yourself later as you feel straddled with a home you can’t afford.

2. Be Realistic About Fixer Uppers

While they are fun to watch on TV, if you don’t have the skillset to actually fix homes, a house that needs a lot of TLC is likely not for you. Many see a low price on a home and jump on it, thinking the work needed will be minimal and easy. When it comes to home improvement, no fix is simple and this is even more true if you are a newbie to the renovation game. Often people do not realize the time commitment and additional cost that come with dramatic improvements.

3. Provide a Strong Down Payment

The more you are able to give for a down payment, the greater equity you will already have in the home in addition to a lower monthly payment. This will save you money on interest in the long run.

4. De-clutter the Current Space

It’s time to spring clean your “extras.” We all have things sitting around our home that go untouched and unneeded. Start selling these items at a local thrift store or posting them for sale online. This will help to make your move easier and be a helpful way to start saving for the down payment!

5. Take Your Time When Shopping

Don’t let the desire to get out of your current living space cloud the judgement of the purchase. Take your time studying each home and realize that this is one of the most important big purchases you will make in your lifetime. It needs to be a thoughtful, decisive purchase.

6. Eliminate Other Debts

Get a great deal on the mortgage by making sure your credit score is in tip-top shape. A large purchase with a loan or credit card right before you buy a home will certainly have an impact on your mortgage rate. Boost your credit score by paying down the debt you have and stay away from any other purchases until after the home is in your possession.

7. Conduct a Personal Roof to Basement Inspection

Know the property backwards and forwards before signing the dotted line. This means hiring a trusted inspector and having a contractor come to confirm the findings. After this, there is still a final step. You need to conduct a thorough inspection to ensure that you know exactly what you are in for. This is a great checks and balances system to confirm that you are getting a fair deal that won’t end up costing you thousands in repairs later.

Be smart with your finances and don’t spend all your money on a “dream home.” We’re here to help you know how much house you can afford, while offering mortgage solutions to fit your needs.

5 Creative Ways to Save for Your New Home

You’ve made the decision that you are tired of renting and ready to step into the world of home ownership. Good for you! You may be wondering what your next steps should be in order to be financially prepared for this major investment. Here are some creative ways to ramp up your savings for this exciting adventure!

1. Consider a Move Now

Is the place you’re living now truly the most cost effective for your budget? Consider moving to a temporary location that can significantly trim your monthly expenses. This is especially helpful if your home purchase is far into the future. No, it might not be the nicest place you’ve ever lived in, but imagine your dream home even closer on the horizon because of the sacrifices you are making right now. Place all of the added savings directly into your savings account.

2. Show Up for Your Budget

Many people begin the new year with excitement about all of the ways they are going to change their purchasing habits in order to achieve their big financial goals. However, like most resolutions, they are abandoned within the first few months. This is the time for you to show up for yourself, your goals and your budget. How? By continually reviewing how you are meeting or faltering your savings goal on a weekly basis. This will keep the financial goal of buying your first home at the forefront of your mind.

3. Purge and Sell Your Belongings

This is a great way to prepare for the big move in more ways than one. Like many adults, we have plenty of items that we don’t need or use gathering dust in our closet. It’s time to part ways and sell them at a garage sale or post them online. Put the profits directly into saving for the down payment that will likely be a minimum of 3.5 percent.

4. Look for a Side Gig

Every little bit counts! If you even have ten hours a week extra that you could commit towards another job, it can be a big boost to your savings. Whether it’s freelance work in an area you are experienced in or applying to be a server at a local restaurant, this is a great way to see your savings climb.

5. Automate Savings

Although this isn’t exactly creative, we would be remiss to not include this incredibly important part of any savings plan. For every amount of money you take in, automate a percentage of that towards your savings account to take any of the temptations of spending out of the mix.

Open a savings account today to begin to build the funds you need for your dream home.

So You’ve Bought Your First Home: Savings 101

Congratulations! You’ve taken a big step in your financial future by purchasing your first home. As a new homeowner, you may be worried about the chunk of change you just spent, and your bank account may be looking a little slim right now. Luckily, Iowa State Bank & Trust Company is here with a few simple saving solutions to help your funds increase.

Slow Your Spending

As you have just made a big dent in your savings, now is the time to slow down on your purchasing behavior. Be sure to be aware of your spending habits. Don’t go shop for an extra pair of shoes or dine out multiple times a week, as that can add up in a hurry!

Revamp Your Emergency Fund

A bigger house means bigger emergency expenses. Put a little extra money here and there into your emergency fund to save up for problems such as needing a new roof, replacing a broken appliance or common plumbing issues. Being prepared means your bank account will take less of a hit since you have your emergency fund to fall back on.

Stretch Your Grocery Dollars

Eating out can cost you a fortune! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average household spends an average of $3,008 per year on dining out. Instead, find discount grocery stores such as ALDI in order to meet your budget. Setting a budget and only buying items you truly need will help stretch your money. Finding recipes for casseroles, soups and other large portion meals will help save money by creating leftovers for you to bring as lunch every day to work.

Don’t Buy New Furniture

Even though you’re excited and want to decorate your new home to the extreme, try to wait. Slowing down and taking the time to find second hand stores, garage sales and so on will help save you hundreds to thousands of dollars on furniture. It’s easy to do a little digging and find store-quality items.

Clean Out the Closet

As you’re already packing to move into your new home, now is the time to get rid of items you no longer need. Facebook Marketplace, Ebay and other online platforms allow you to easily sell items to others all over the world! Not only are you freeing up space in your new home, you’re making a few extra bucks along the way!

Being a homeowner is an exciting new journey, but keeping up with your finances can be a little hectic. These tips will help you put a few more dollars in your bank account while enjoying the joys of your new home!