Becoming a homeowner is exciting but can be overwhelming, particularly for first-time buyers. It is becoming increasingly important to understand effective home loan strategies as the real estate sector changes.
In this guide, we will examine some of the important factors along with strategies to empower first-time buyers on their journey to obtaining a home loan.
What is a Home Loan?
A home loan is a type of secured loan that is taken out in exchange for collateral to buy a property. It offers excellent funding for extended periods of time at reasonable interest rates and is typically repaid through EMIs.
Simple Tips for First-Time Buyers
A home loan is a long-term commitment that can last up to 25 – 30 years. It can indeed make you worried about several other things, especially if it is your first home purchase, like the interest rates, loan amount, margin, and so much more. Fear not — we have included a few tips below to help you feel less anxious about your home loan:
- Budget Sensibly: Creating a realistic budget is essential to a happy home-buying journey. Consider your calculations adding not just the purchase price of the property but also any related costs, such as maintenance, insurance, and related property taxes. Following a tight and sensible budget prevents you from going over your spending limit and from having any trouble when making your monthly payments.
- Research Before Purchasing: It is best advised that you should compare the interest rates that different lenders are offering. Doing so will allow you to get many advantages, such as competitive interest rates and assistance for a well-informed decision. Moreover, after weighing the advantages of each lender, it is a good idea to utilise the home loan EMI calculator tool. It will help you determine whether you have enough funds to cover your EMIs timely or not.
- Take Advantages of the Schemes: You can avail yourself of the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) on a home loan provided under the PMAY or Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
- Financial Health: Before embarking on your home loan journey, always make sure to examine your finances to check if you possess the necessary funds for a deposit. Make sure you have enough funds set aside for emergencies before considering taking a home loan.
- Save Down Payments: Even though there are various loan programmes with different down payment criteria, saving for a substantial down payment can have a big impact on your home loan phase.
- Repayment Tenure: Longer repayment terms will ease the pressure of large EMIs; however, they will result in greater interest over time. Hence, it is suggested that you should pick a tenure that is somewhat relatively shorter and for which you are able to pay the monthly instalments comfortably. Furthermore, investing in different financial services such as mutual funds or fixed deposits (FDs) can be a viable option as it can help you get significant returns on your investments.
- Get Pre-Approval: For first-time home buyers, being pre-approved for a loan is a wise move. It gives you a clear idea of how much of a loan you can get, and it shows sellers that you are a serious buyer. In a highly competitive real estate market, this can provide you with a great advantage.
- Check Your Eligibility: When applying for a loan, it is crucial to be aware of the fundamental requirements for qualifying to avoid any last-minute surprises. Thus, it is highly recommended that you should check your eligibility and be well-prepared with the banking processes.
- Benefit from Taxes: Knowing the full tax benefits for a first home loan is essential. You can save a significant amount on your first home purchase.
- Bank-Approved Projects: Selecting properties that the bank has approved guarantees that the property is unencumbered. In other words, to prevent builder scams, banks often only grant loans following a thorough security review of the property paperwork and authority permissions.
Book Your First Home Today!
Picking an efficient financial partner is essential as you set out on the journey to purchasing your first dream home. In the realm of home loans, Tata Capital is a prominent option. It guarantees a hassle-free experience for first-time buyers with affordable loan rates, a smooth application procedure, and a dedication to customer satisfaction. Get your home loan approval today!