Congratulations, you’ve been pre-approved for a mortgage! At this point, you may be tempted to relax after all the hard work you’ve done pumping up your savings account and raising your credit score. But don’t go on a spending spree just yet.

Daunted by high home prices and fierce competition for prime-condition houses? An FHA 203(k) Renovation Loan could be the answer for you. It provides a simple way to bundle a home’s selling price and the cost of renovations, repairs, and improvements in one single loan.

  If you’re thinking about buying a house, you’ve probably heard the term “credit score.” This 3-digit number tells a bank how likely it is that you can pay back your loans, and it’s based on things like the amount of debt you have, loans you’ve had in the past, and your repayment history. The higher your score, the more likely it is that a bank will lend you money.   You’ve earned your score by taking good care of your finances, so you want to be careful about anything that might take away from it. And one thing that can subtract points from your score is a credit inquiry.   “But wait!” you say. “Aren’t I supposed to get pre-approved for my mortgage before I start looking at houses? And doesn’t a pre-approval count as a credit inquiry?”   Good question, but when it comes to pre-approval, your credit score is safe. Here’s why.  

Every once in a while, the stars align and things fall perfectly into place. That’s the case right now, with tax returns and stimulus checks coming in just in time for the spring home buying season! With a little planning, you can use this income to put together a down payment for your next home.  

It’s great to be your own boss. That is until you need to convince someone to give you a loan. But with a good plan and support from your loan officer, you’ll find that buying a home is one more American dream you can achieve.