Buying a Home By Yourself | Welcome to Better

Bolton Square at Central State Model Exterior

You may have heard that it’s hard—or even “impossible”—to buy a home by yourself. Most single residents think homeownership is only a pipe dream and not in the cards for them for at least several years.

The good news is that you have a team of professionals working with you from start to finish to help your dreams of owning a home become reality:

Your skilled Internet Sales Manager will help you navigate your online journey and schedule an appointment to tour your dream home!
You’ll work closely with your New Home Consultant, the resident expert of the community you’re interested in. They are there to support you from the first time you step into the model home to the time you close on your new home.
The Loan Officers at M/I Financial help you through the loan process and what loan programs might suit you and your finances best.
Design Specialists assist with the design aspect of the home, providing expert advice on the latest deign trends.
The Construction Manager in charge of building your new home is in communication weekly discussing what is being done in the home and is readily available to answer any building questions throughout the process.
Customer Care will support you as you move into your brand new home! This knowledgeable and caring team is available when you need them.

From the start of your new home journey, you’re never really alone, since the building team has your back from beginning to the end.

Here are our step-by-step recommendations for how to buy a home alone.

The Steps to Buy a Home on Your Own

1. Grow Your Knowledge About the Home Buying Process

First and foremost, you’ll need to educate yourself on how to get started with the home buying process and what to prepare yourself for if you want to become a homeowner.

For example, you’ll need to consider responsibilities like lawn maintenance and house cleaning once you own a home, so your weekends and lifestyle may need to adjust!

There are lots of helpful guides that provide details throughout each step of the process. Keep in mind, too, that building a home is different from buying resale, so take the time to read up on the new construction process.

Here are some of the best first-time homebuyer resources:

2. Gauge How Much Home You Can Afford

Part of knowing what type of home you can afford means having a realistic picture of your current finances.

It also means creating a wish list of needs vs. wants. If you’re going to work from home, a home office space is a need. If you’re hoping to have a formal dining space one day but are able to fit into a breakfast nook for the time being, that would be a want.

The best part of being a homeowner? You’re basically paying yourself instead of throwing money out the window, like if you were renting. Homeowners also get nice tax breaks and build equity while living in their homes.

3. Get Prequalified

This is one of the most important steps of the home buying process, and you want to make sure you’re doing this at the right time (before looking at homes).

If your credit score needs a bit of work before you can get a good loan, have no fear! We can help with that, too. Learn about good credit scores and what it takes to improve one.

4. Browse Homes Online That You Want to Tour

This is definitely one of the most fun parts because it starts to feel so real that you’ll soon have your very own home!

As you work with your New Home Consultant to schedule model home tours at any of the new communities you’re interested in, be sure to have questions ready to ask during your time with this new construction expert.

You can also tour homes virtually first to familiarize yourself with some of the floorplans that match with your must-haves list.

5. Budget for Your Down Payment

Buying a home on a single income will mean tightening your belt to prepare for your down payment, closing costs, and various homeownership expenses.

It won’t be this way forever, but for now you’ll need to put all unnecessary expenses on hold, like eating out, shopping, and grabbing that midday coffee.

It’ll be so worth it once you’re in your new home, and you can fill your new space bit by bit once you’re moved in!

6. Celebrate!

At the end of this exciting journey, you have a place to call your own—to call home—in a community surrounded by new neighbors, new friends, and new opportunities. Now that’s something worth celebrating!

Plan a housewarming party to show off your new home and commemorate your huge achievement! Here are some of our favorite housewarming ideas:

With a little know-how and earnest dedication you’ll become a homeowner in no time. The key is to get serious now and save, save, save.

“Help: I'm Buying a Home By Myself!”

August 29, 2022