Like many Americans before, if you have decided that homeownership is a course you wish to set your sights upon, then you may already understand that you have a long journey ahead of you. There are many steps on this journey, some small and some that will seem insurmountably large. Through this series of articles, we will give one possible path that you could take to reach that goal. We have distilled the renters’ journey into 7 separate articles that will detail the different parts of this journey. And we will be there every step of the way, from renting your first place to closing day on your first home purchase.
Step 1: Renting for the First Time?
While the freedom of getting your own place for the first time can be incredible, there are also a lot of things to consider before you take that plunge. In this first article, we’ll take you from figuring out how much your budget will need to be and how to set your finances up all the way through to understanding your first lease and getting moved in. Start saving cash and empty boxes, as we walk you through the things to consider when you are ready to take on your very first rental.
Learn more about this step in-depth in its own article– click here.
Step 2: Your First Month in a New Rental
Now that you have successfully been approved for your first place, the lease has been signed, and your boxes and furniture have all been moved in, it can be difficult to know where to start the next phase of your journey. In this article, we’ll give you tips about how to get settled into your new space at a pace you can handle – taking you from that first deep clean and initial walkthrough to your first housewarming party. Make yourself at home as you begin the transformation from an empty canvas into a place that is undeniably yours.
Learn more about this step in-depth in its own article– click here.
Step 3: Tips and Tricks of Renting Experts
Even once you have settled into your new rental unit, it doesn’t mean that your hard work is done. Maintaining a home is a constant demand for your attention, time, and energy. And that can be made even more complicated when that home is owned by somebody else. In our third article, we will take you through the importance of fostering a good relationship with your landlord and neighbors, as well as touch on some pointers for how best to secure your present and future stability.
Learn more about this step in-depth in its own article– click here.
Step 4: Are You Ready to Buy? A Checklist
At some point, you will likely consider whether or not you are ready to purchase a home of your own instead of continuing to rent. There can be a lot of factors at play in deciding if this is the right path to take in your journey, and the investment of time and money involved can turn many people away from giving it serious thought. In this article, we will go over the things you need to give serious consideration to and how to proceed if you determine that homeownership is the course for you.
Learn more about this step in-depth in its own article– click here.
Step 5: Is Rent-to-Own Better Than a Mortgage
For many people in the United States, the financial barrier of taking on a mortgage can present a daunting undertaking – one that may even seem impossible in our current economy. It may take you time to build and secure the foundation needed to make such a large commitment. And it is not always easy to find a property you love that is also in your price range. So when you find one, you may want to take it off the market even before your finances are fully ready. Or perhaps you want to try homeownership on for size to make sure you feel comfortable and ready for that responsibility. In this article, we will explore the area of rent-to-own lease agreements, how they differ from traditional leases, and the ways in which they may bring your dream to purchase your own home that much closer to reality.
Learn more about this step in-depth in its own article– click here.
Step 6: Credit & Housing: How to Get Homebuyer Ready
When you decide that you are ready to pursue homeownership in earnest, there will be a lot of preparations that you will need to undertake. From understanding how your credit affects your ability to buy a home to tips on how to repair your credit, the sixth article in our series touches on getting your finances in order so that you can make the next steps of your journey as smooth as possible.
Learn more about this step in-depth in its own article– click here.
Step 7: 1st Time Homebuyers
The final article of our series covers options that may be available to you as a first-time homebuyer. We will walk you through a checklist of things to consider, touch on many of the costs and fees you will need to pay, how to know when you find the right home for you, and give some tips for how to secure any assistance that you might need.
Learn more about this step in-depth in its own article– click here.
Bottom Line: A Journey of Many Steps
When faced with a task that we don’t fully understand, it is easy to imagine ourselves accomplishing that task as “impossible”. The distance to cover is too vast. Our lack of knowledge or our current situation can convince us that we don’t have the necessary tools at our disposal to take on such an endeavor. But this series is designed to break down the great journey that leads to homeownership into smaller, more manageable tasks. Our goal is to educate you on the whys and illustrate the hows that will guide you all the way to that last step on your journey – the one that carries you over the threshold of your front door and into your new home.