Our journey to homeownership
Even though we’ve only walked through a couple of open houses and haven’t put down any offers, our homeownership journey has started. We’re months (or maybe even years out!) from buying a house, but we’re saving aggressively, learning as much as we can, keeping our eyes open for homes and making a list of the nice-to-haves and the “must haves.” Today, I’m chatting a bit more in collaboration with MSHDA about what prospective homebuyers (like us!) need to prepare for as they begin their homeownership journey. It’s important to remember that the path to homeownership is a journey. We’re inching closer and closer to that dream of buying a house, in a neighborhood we love, in this beautiful state of Michigan.
This post is sponsored by MSHDA. All opinions are my own.
One of the first major steps we took in our homeownership journey was, honestly, educating ourselves on the process. For years, I’ve always wanted to own a “home of my own,” but I had no idea what I was doing, the implications of buying a house or how to even go about buying a house. There’s so much to know, and it can all seem a bit complicated! You need to save how much? What’s a buyer’s agent vs. a real estate agent? Do you need to get pre-approved? Are there any programs out there that help assist first-time home buyers? Thankfully, MSHDA offers many housing education classes to help you prepare for homeownership. These classes and one-on-one pre-purchase counseling services have been shown to benefit potential and new homeowners! Knowledge is critical, especially when you’re making one of the most important purchases of your life!
Although we’re still in the early phases of becoming homeowners (learning, searching, and learning some more 😂), I feel like we understand the process, and what’s expected of us, much better. It doesn’t seem so intimidating anymore! We’re aggressively saving, keeping our eyes open, and can’t wait to start looking and touring homes – but remembering to take it one day at a time. Often times in the past, I’ve rushed into things financially, and this is one thing I want to take slow, learn as much as I can, and make the best decision I possibly can.
If you’re looking to buy a house anytime in the future, I’d recommend checking out MSHDA’s website! Their goal is to provide homes and preserve places for the people of Michigan. Not only do they offer housing education classes, but they have options available for different mortgages and first-time homebuyer’s assistance! Be sure to check the income limits to see if you apply. You can find all of their homebuyer resources here on their website. Are you a homeowner already? Let me know any tips or knowledge you learned during the process in the comments! If you’re looking to be a first-time homebuyer, let me know why you decided to start looking for a house! For me, I want to buy a house so I can have a home that I can truly make my own and to build our life and make memories. I associate so much of my identity into my “home,” and I can’t wait to find that part of my life someday soon!