Wilco Realtors Has Answers!
Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or an experienced real estate investor in Fort Worth, it's always a good idea to brush up on your real estate know-how before you begin your home search. After all, one of the most important parts of buying a home is being prepared for whatever the process might throw at you! These Buyer FAQs are a filled with some of the question we hear the most often from Fort Worth buyers. If you're still looking for more answers, just give us a call!
1. Where Should I Start the Process?
- Organize and review your finances by figuring out exactly how much money you're spending and saving per money. From there, set a budget and figure out what you will be able to afford for a down payment. You can even use our handy mortgage calculator to see what your monthly mortgage payment might look like!
- Start exploring the many neighborhoods in and around Fort Worth to see which might be best for you. Our in-depth guides should be able to help you narrow down your options!
- If you're a first-time buyer, you might want to get more information before you get started!
2. How Do I Know What to Look for in a Home?
- This is sort of the fun part! What you want in a home is totally up to you, so take some time to decide what’s important—proximity to amenities, school districts, yard sizes, noise, commute, highway access. This will help you find narrow down your neighborhood options.
- Review home features you might want and those you’ll need, from size to style to overall condition. Having a good idea of what you’re looking for will save you time and tours of homes that don't meet your criteria.
- If you need a little inspiration, our Fort Worth featured listings can help. Or you can start searching homes by amenities and features!
3. Why Should I Use a Realtor?
- Buying a home comes with a lot of complicated financial decisions—we can help with that.
- Since we also call Forth Worth home, we can recommend everything from a fitting neighborhood to the best pizza place.
- Mortgage is confusing. Luckily, we'll be there to guide you through your options and the pros and cons of each.
- Dreading that closing paperwork? We'll do all the translating and tell you which dotted line to sign on!
4. Where and How Can I Get a Loan?
- Mortgage loans are typically available through banks, credit unions, private mortgage companies, and government state lenders.
- We have a few trusted local lenders that we'd be more than happy to recommend to you. You can also shop for lenders on your own, but be sure to take some time to search around and compare rates. Calling local government agencies can also be a good idea to find out more about programs that might be available to you.
5. What if I Have Bad Credit or No Down Payment?
- Don't worry—you might qualify for a federal mortgage program or local home buying assistance program.
- The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) helps home buyers by offering insured loans, which basically means that if the buyer defaults, the lender will still get their money. Insured loans encourage lenders to work with more buyers regardless of their credit or available down payment.
- Many state and local governments offer additional programs for buyers who meet various criteria or are buying within individual communities.
- The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) also offers many assistance programs to home buyers.
6. Once I Find My Home, What Will I Have to Pay Up Front?
- Earnest money: Think of this as the "security deposit." You pay earnest money when you submit your offer to prove to the seller that you're serious. Once your offer is accepted, the amount you paid will be applied to your downpayment.
- Down Payment: This is a percentage of the cost of your home, and the amount you pay will depend on both the loan your receive and the total price of your home. Government programs can help you decrease this amount!
- Closing Costs: These are typically low for buyers and represent the fees associated with paperwork and lender charges.
7. What Other Costs Will I Pay?
- Other costs can include utilities, HOA or condo fees, and property taxes—which are typically included in your mortgage payment.
- Ask your Realtor about additional fees associated with your particular home, community, or neighborhood.
Still Have Questions?
No problem—just get in touch with our team! We can answer any questions you might still have about homes for sale and real estate in Fort Worth or its many communities.
If you'd like more information, be sure to also browse our buying resources!