Buying your first home is an exciting time full of many emotions. You are ready to strike out on your own and become a homeowner! This time is also full of lots of important information, and sometimes you can feel a little overwhelmed.

You have been saving and planning, and now it is finally time to start shopping for your first home! We are thrilled for you! But before you hit the real estate listings or start interviewing agents, you have a little math to do.

Buying your first home doesn't have to be a terrifying experience. Surprisingly, however, that's how many perspective homeowners view the process. According to Nerdwallet, millennials, especially, are hesitant to enter into the home-buying arena, even though they'd like to become homeowners and see the value of buying over renting. Most feel they don't yet make enough money to foot a monthly mortgage.

Whether you plan to one day purchase your home or are already shopping around your local housing market, buying a home is a monumental step. It's a decision you want to get right because making the wrong choice when buying a home can cost you big time. Make the best decisions with your first or next mortgage loan by putting these home-buying myths to rest before you sign loan documents. 

If you are thinking about buying a new home, then this is an exciting time; however, buying a home is also a big decision. For this reason, you need to make sure that you take the time to get this decision right. That also means working with the right mortgage lender. Unfortunately, there are a lot of common mistakes that homebuyers may make when looking for a lender. Understand these common pitfalls so you can make sure to avoid them.

If you are thinking about refinancing your mortgage to a lower rate, then you are probably looking forward to saving money on your monthly payments. You can also go through the refinancing process to tap into the equity in your home to finance home improvements while also consolidating your other debts. At the same time, this is a big decision and you need to work with the best mortgage lenders to get a new home loan that is favorable to your financial situation. When it comes to refinancing your first mortgage, there are a few tips to follow.

If you are thinking about refinancing your mortgage, then you know that this is a great way to save money on your monthly payment, shorten the term of your loan, or tap into the equity of your home for a home improvement project. At the same time, refinancing is like taking out a new home loan. For this reason, you need to know what to expect. There are a few tips that you should follow to make it easier for you to refinance successfully.

Purchasing a home is a huge milestone in many people's lives. It can be intimidating; I know it definitely was for me as I first began the process. Luckily, with the help of the mortgage team at Carolina Trust, I was able to put my worries aside and enjoy embarking on the journey of house hunting and purchasing my first home. 

If you are dreaming of owning a home of your own, but are intimated by the home-buying process, don’t be! While there is a lot of paperwork and verification involved, it really is not as difficult as you may think. In fact, if you work with the right team of real estate professionals, including an experienced realtor and a reputable credit union or bank, the home-buying process is really a breeze! 

Your home-buying experience should be an exciting time, yet the process ahead is not without its drawbacks and potential problems. For many home-buyers, failing to do enough research at the beginning of the process can lead to problems down the road, and in real estate those problems can be costly.