Buying your first home is a balancing act of several factors. And because mortgage rates and home prices have both risen this year, it's costing potential homebuyers more now than it did just a few months ago. But that doesn't mean you need to place your dreams of buying your first home on hold!

If you partner with a trusted real estate advisor like Carolyn Jackson and hone your home buying strategy, you can navigate today’s complicated and ever-shifting market to find the perfect home you’re looking for. To get started, here are two tips:

Prioritize Your Wish List by Working with a Professional

If you’re having trouble finding a listing in your budget that fits your vision of the perfect first home, it is absolutely worth working with someone who can take an experienced look at what you want versus what you really need. In fact, your wish list can have just as much impact on your home search as your finances, according to the latest First-Time Homebuyer Metro Affordability Report from NerdWallet:

“Your budget isn’t all that you need to be concerned about; your wish list and desired location may carry just as much weight.”

You'll find that prioritization is key. Be flexible in what you’re looking for when it comes to finding your first home in order to open up your list of opportunities. Partnering with a local real estate professional will help you better understand what’s available in today’s fast-paced market, and they can help you reprioritize your wish list for the home you dream of. And if something from your "Must Have" list doesn't make the cut, you can always add features to make the home your own after you've purchased and moved in.

Consider More Locations and Increase Your Search Radius

In order to find more homes within your target price range, you may be required to be flexible on your dream home's location. Especially if you’re a remote worker, expanding your search radius just might give you the dream home opportunities you need. As Fannie Mae explains:

“. . . continued remote work flexibility is likely giving many the ability to live farther away in more affordable areas.”

Deciding to search in more places that have a lower cost of living could be the key in finding a home that fits both your budget and your wish list.

Bottom Line
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If you're serious about purchasing your first home this year, revising your dream home wish list and expanding your location searches can help. Work with a trusted real estate advisor like Carolyn Jackson to explore all the opportunities in your area, so you can achieve your homeownership dreams.

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate from Freddie Mac has inched up to 5% in the last few weeks alone. That might sound like daunting news, but rest assured: the right time for your home search in Idaho is now. You might be inclined to put your home-buying dreams on hold, waiting for the rates to fall, but waiting is only going to end up costing you more. Mortgage rates are expected to keep rising in the next year.

If you’re thinking of buying a home in Idaho, keep a few things in mind so you can succeed, even as mortgage rates rise. 

How Rising Mortgage Rates Impact You

Mortgage rates play a significant role in your Idaho home search. When rates increase, so does the amount of your monthly mortgage payment; your home buying ability will be directly affected by how much you can comfortably afford.

The chart below is an example of the big impact even a quarter-point increase in mortgage rates can have on your monthly payment:

With these recent increases in mortgage rates, it’s likely that you have already noticed an impact on your purchasing power. Instead of delaying your plans to buy a home in Idaho, today’s rising rates should motivate you to purchase now before mortgage rates increase even more. Use this motivation to fuel your Idaho home search and plan the appropriate next steps accordingly.

The number one way to prepare for your home search is to work with a trusted Idaho real estate advisor now. An agent can connect you with a trusted lender, help you fine tune your home search according to your specific budget, and help you be ready to act quickly when the time comes to make an offer on the Idaho home of your dreams.

Bottom Line
Buyers who are serious about finding their Idaho home should use the recent increases in mortgage rates as extra motivation to buy sooner, instead of as a reason to wait. Waiting to purchase will only cost you more in the long run, as rates are expected to continue rising. Work with an Idaho real estate professional to understand your budget and purchasing power, and how you can be best prepared to buy your new home in Idaho before mortgage rates climb even higher.