Happy New Year!  We hope this is a great time for you, and wonderful things happen for you and your loved ones.  If you’re hoping to buy your first home in West Michigan in the coming months, this may be an especially exciting year.

But what is the best way to prepare for your new home purchase?  If you’re looking to buy a house in Grand Rapids or Kalamazoo, there are several great moves you can make to get yourself ready.

1.  Get a Grip on your Finances

No matter how you’re planning to buy your new home, understanding your finances is a great first step.  First, review your assets.  What do you have in your checking account?  Savings?  Do you have any stocks, mutual funds. etcetera?   Knowing exactly what you have to work with is important.

Understanding your monthly cash flow is also crucial.  Houses come with a lot of extra surprises, from leaky pipes to roof repairs.  Once you no longer have a landlord, all of those little fixes will fall on your shoulders.  Are you saving some money each month for unexpected expenses? Continue reading “5 Key Preparations for First Time Home Buyers in Grand Rapids” →