There are dozens of myths flying around the Alabama real estate market surrounding everything from necessary credit scores to the documents you need to qualify for a mortgage.
As your local Lake Martin real estate experts, we’re debunking some of the most common home buying myths below so you can buy a home with confidence this year!
Myth: You need a perfect credit score
Many would-be homebuyers are held back from the process simply because they don’t think their credit score is high enough. According to real estate industry resource Keeping Current Matters, the average credit score of all approved loans was 726. Don’t assume you won’t be approved! Your first step should always be meeting with a lender to determine which home loan programs you qualify for in our area.
Myth: You need 20 percent down
Another common myth in real estate is that you need 20 percent down to buy a home or the loan won’t be approved. Think again! Many homebuyers today can purchase homes with as little as 3 percent down— even zero down depending on the type of loan! According to Keeping Current Matters, first-time homebuyers often put down an average of 6 percent.
Myth: You should wait for interest rates to drop
By historical standards, today’s interest rates are still incredibly low! Consider this— in the 1980’s, interest rates were hovering around 12.7 percent; in the ’90s, 8.12 percent! Locking in today’s historically low rates is still a smart decision if you’re planning to buy a home on Lake Martin.
When you’re ready to get started on your Lake Martin home buying journey, The Haynie Team will be here to guide you through the process!
Contact us for more information about available homes for sale! We look forward to hearing from you!
Becky Haynie, Associate Broker / Realtor
Lake Martin Realty
www.HomeOnLakeMartin.com