Ok , let’s be real for a moment. Maybe we should have put “house hunting adventures” in quotes. Sure, when you’re first starting to look for a new home to buy it can be exciting. But it can also feel pretty complicated and daunting, especially if you’re a first-time homebuyer and/or you’re looking in a super-heated market like we’re seeing in many parts of the U.S. right now.
There are so many questions and stuff to consider when you are beginning to look for a home. Like, what can we afford? How much do we need saved for the down payment? What area do we want to live in? And what do we actually need to do to get a home loan?
Luckily, you’re not on this journey alone. Salal Home Lending has partnered with HomeAdvantage® to bring you great resources and tools that are free to Salal members. So, let’s take a look at what you have at your fingertips right now to help make the first phase of your house-hunting process the fun kind of “adventure.”
Research Your Future Neighborhood
While you are looking at homes in the areas you’d like to live in, you can also check out details about the neighborhood, including schools and what other homes in the area have recently sold for.
Search for HomesEstimate Your Current Home’s Value
If you already own a home, you’ll likely need to sell it when you buy a new one. Get an estimate of the value of your home. Even check out the value of homes you could see yourself buying so you can compare the estimate to the asking price.
Find Your Home’s ValueLearn Ways to Boost Your Credit Score
Log in to Salal Mobile or Online Banking to access SavvyMoney, a suite of free credit monitoring tools. Your credit score can have a direct effect on the terms of your future mortgage. SavvyMoney gives you tips on how to boost your credit score and use the Credit Score Simulator to test the potential impact of things like opening new accounts or paying off balances.
Learn More About SavvyMoneyGet Pre-Approved
Getting pre-approved helps focus your house hunting because you have a lot better idea of what is in your price range. It also helps you get to know a potential lender and see if they are a good fit for you.
Learn More About Pre-ApprovalFree Home-Buyer Planning Session
This free, no-obligation planning session is a great way to get prepared and know what to expect on your home buying journey. It gives you a chance to talk to a home lending expert and get a better idea of your price range and what your down payment and future mortgage payments might look like. You can also feel free to reach out to us at 800.562.5515 ext. 1288 or HomeLending@SalalCU.org.
Schedule a Free Home-Buyer Planning SessionAll Salal loans are subject to credit approval. Property must be located within WA, OR, UT, or CA. Some restrictions may apply.
*The HomeAdvantage program is made available to members through a relationship between Salal Credit Union and HomeAdvantage. Cash Rewards are awarded through the HomeAdvantage program to buyers and sellers who select and use a real estate agent in the HomeAdvantage network. Home buyers or sellers are not eligible for Cash Rewards if they use an agent outside this network. Cash Rewards amounts are dependent on the commissions paid to the HomeAdvantage network agent. Obtaining a mortgage or use of any specific lending institution is not a requirement to earn Cash Rewards. If you are obtaining a mortgage, Salal Credit Union may have specific rules on how Cash Rewards can be paid out. Cash Rewards are available in most states; however, are void where prohibited by law or by Salal Credit Union. Please consult with your Salal Credit Union Mortgage Advisor for details that may affect you.