Strategies for First-Time Homebuyers | Guiding You Forward

Our guest today in the podcast studio is Mountain America Credit Union mortgage sales manager, Karl Loveless. In this episode, we’re talking about the best ways for first-time homebuyers to get the home of their dreams—or at least the home of their dreams right now.

Tune in and you’ll learn: 

• Strategies for first-time homebuyers.

• About credit and how to be better prepared in this seller’s market.

• The ins and outs of being prequalified vs. preapproved.

As a first-time homebuyer, it can be easy to skip some of the financial prep just because you’re focused on achieving the dream of homeownership. It’s such an exciting time—searching for the perfect property, imagining the updates you’ll make and picturing a life well-lived.

But the work you do before saying “yes” to a property can make the difference between a sound financial decision and years of struggling to make your payment. Watch the video above for Karl’s best strategies for first-time homebuyers.

Karl also discusses credit and how to prepare your finances the best you can before jumping into a mortgage. The cost of buying and owning a home can be challenging—waiting to buy might put you in a better position financially. Build up a good credit history, save more money or just take more time to find the right home—prioritize making the best financial decision for you.

When the time is right, be sure to get prequalified or preapproved for a mortgage. But which one is better? Karl explains the difference and why you may want one over the other.

If you're ready to take the leap to homeownership, watch this podcast episode and start making a purchase plan. Remember, we’re happy to answer any questions you may have—we can’t wait to watch your dream become a reality!