
A new home is filled with potential. There's potential for a bright and financially rewarding future, but there's also potential to find yourself stuck in a money pit. When you are househunting in Beavercreek, there are five red flags that our REALTORS® tell prospective homebuyers to keep their eyes open for when looking for a home.

If you're getting ready to become a homeowner, you've probably already discovered that there are a lot of important steps along the way. Getting pre-approval for a home loan is one of the most important steps, and if you're thinking about buying a home in 2020, our REALTORS® are here to help.
One of the most common questions we get asked is, "When should I get pre-approved?" There are a few factors to consider when answering that question, but one thing is for sure: Before you start looking at Beavercreek homes for sale, it's important to have a pre-approval letter in hand.
What is Pre-Approval?
Pre-approval is an important step before buying a home because it essentially proves that you have the financial means to do so. When you obtain pre-approval it says to homebuyers that you're ready and able to buy. It also lets you know just how much home you can afford, which makes it easier to find the right house for you.

Buying a new home when you own another one with a mortgage can be a complicated situation. Most lenders won't qualify you for a new loan until you have sold your current home. Unless you're comfortable with moving into a temporary living situation, you'll need a bridge loan. Our REALTORS® are happy to explain what bridge loans are, how they work, and why they're an attractive option for homeowners who are in fixed situations.
It's all in the name. A bridge loan is a type of financing that is meant to bridge the gap between closing on a new home and selling an existing home. Also called "gap financing" or a "wrap," bridge loans enable individuals to address current needs before securing a mortgage or long-term loan. Bridge loans are usually short-term and can be arranged with little documentation. If you urgently need to buy a new home but are still saddled with your current one, you can facilitate the purchase with a bridge loan. In this case, your existing property becomes the collateral for the loan.

Buying a house is a major investment, and as a homebuyer, it's important to do everything you can to protect the investment you make in your property. Homeowners insurance is one of the biggest keys to protecting your investment, and most lenders require you to purchase insurance if you have a mortgage. Even without a mortgage, insurance is important for every homeowner. Our REALTORS® are here to help you protect your home, with our guide to making sense of homeowners insurance.
Why Mortgage Lenders Require Homeowners Insurance
Whether you're shopping for Beavercreek homes for sale or homes in another location, your mortgage lender is likely to require you to purchase homeowners insurance. Lenders require insurance because it protects their investment in your home. If something goes wrong with the property, the lender wants to know any costs will be covered. With the right insurance policy, you'll be able to cover repairs of the most common issues that can damage your home. In addition to covering damage to the home itself, many home insurance policies provide coverage to repair or replace personal belongings in the home.

Your credit score is the magic key that opens the door to the best interest rates and loan options. It's a number you'll want to raise as high as possible before you start looking at Beavercreek homes for sale. It takes time to raise your score into the right range and the following five steps you can move your score going in the right direction.