Can You Afford to Buy a House in Wood Dale, IL?

Steps to Afford to Buy a Home in Wood Dale, IL

Your home should be a retreat from the worries of the world, not a place where new worries begin. A great way to make that happen is to be financially prepared for your home purchase before you set foot in an open house. Know when it might be better to wait until your situation improves and when you're in a financially strong enough position to buy a home in Wood Dale. Start the process with the following steps and call a Mr. Cooper Mortgage Professional to talk strategy.

Take a look at your finances—the whole landscape. What are your general thoughts about your financial situation, credit history, savings, and current monthly expenses? A little "gut check" can go a long way. A good way to start your Wood Dale home buying journey is with adequate savings for a down payment, a strong credit history, and a good grasp on your everyday expenses.

Now, let's "put pencil to paper," as they say. Use Mr. Cooper's affordability calculator to see where your budget stands. You can get an idea of how much house you can afford to buy in Wood Dale based on income or your desired maximum monthly mortgage payment. Will this number get you into the Wood Dale home or neighborhood you've had your eye on? If not, think about buying a house in a surrounding area or boosting your down payment. If it's a good number, then call Mr. Cooper. It's time to move on to the next step in the homeownership journey!

You're ready to prequalify for a house in Wood Dale. Prequalification is a more formal estimate of how much of a home loan you could get approved for. It's based on some financial information you provide and a credit check. Prequalification is also a chance to learn about your mortgage options and work with your lender to find the right fit. Get started using Mr. Cooper’s online prequalification tool. Let us know where you'd like to buy a home in Wood Dale, the property type, how you anticipate using the property, and whether or not you're currently working with a real estate professional. Enter your expected purchase price and down payment. Share a couple more personal details and you’re on your way to getting prequalified. The process is straightforward. Prequalification lasts 120 days.

When crunching the numbers on how you'll afford to buy a home in Wood Dale, factor in your time, too. Time is non-renewable and non-refundable, and looking for the perfect home in Wood Dale can be time-consuming. Partner with a real estate agent in Wood Dale who does the bulk of the work for you. With Mr. Cooper® Real Estate Rewards, you can get connected with a top-performing real estate agent in Wood Dale and potentially save thousands.* Try it! Get an idea of how much you might be able to save on closing costs and real estate commissions with Mr. Cooper’s Real Estate Rewards calculator.

The last step in preparing your finances to buy a house in Wood Dale is to apply for a home loan. Can you see the finish line? Work with a home loan servicer like Mr. Cooper, and you'll receive personalized support from the moment you dream of owning a home to the reality of holding the keys in your hand. Call Mr. Cooper Mortgage Professionals today. They are home buying experts who will work their hardest to present you with the best loan options possible.

Your dream home, or as we like to say, "The One" is waiting for you! Get your finances ready to buy a home in Wood Dale and give us a call. Let's get you started on your path to homeownership!