2 Boys + 1 Girl = One Crazy Mom

Everything you need to raise a happy child and save a ton along the way

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Info & Disclosures
    • Our Stats
    • Giveaway Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Book Review Policy
    • Product Review Policy
    • Giveaway Entry Rules
  • Collective Bias
  • Crafts
    • Fun Saturday
    • Halloween Ideas
    • Scrapbook Tips
  • DIY
  • German
    • German Christmas Tradition
    • German products
    • German Recipe
    • German Tradition
    • Germany
  • Giveaway
    • Closed Giveaways
  • Recipe
    • Brunch Sunday
    • Crock Pot Recipes
    • Lunch Box Ideas
    • Meal Plan
    • Sunday Brunch

A few simple tips on how to prepare for a new home purchase and enter to #WIN up to $2000 with #BMOScavengerHunt

March 3, 2014 By Melanie Roberts 24 Comments

This post brought to you by BMO Harris Bank N.A. Member FDIC. All opinions are 100% mine.

Prepare for a new home

This is the time to purchase a house if you are still in the market; the interest rates are still fairly low and the housing market is slowly rebounding, making it still affordable to get a great deal. I decided to put together 5 tips on how to prepare for a new home and hope this will help you and your family to get into that dream home and not go broke.

1. Evaluate your credit rating and debt if you have little less then perfect, work on that. Start paying off all your debt that is possible to pay off, start with the smallest bill first and work your way up to the biggest. That will decrease your debt tremendously and help your credit rating as well.

A few simple tips on how to prepare for a new home purchase and enter to #WIN up to $2000 with #BMOScavengerHunt

2. Start saving as much as you can. You want to have a little down payment for your home as well as anything that may come up once you moved into that new home. You don’t want to be house rich and cash poor and then sit there with a broken AC or broken window. Be prepared, save as much as you can.

3. Don’t borrow to your maximum. I know it is tempting if the bank tells you that you are approved for $300,000.00. However try to stay way below that and maybe look for homes in the $200,000 range. You won’t max your payments and still have some breathing room for extras like furniture’s, repairs or even an unexpected unemployment, that way you can also still save money if you don’t use every penny to pay back that mortgage.

A few simple tips on how to prepare for a new home purchase and enter to #WIN up to $2000 with #BMOScavengerHunt

4. Do your homework. Do you like the area, the neighborhood and think ahead, will this house be a fit for the entire family a year from now, 4 years maybe even 10 years from now. Investing into a home is a big thing and you don’t want to keep moving every 3 years (unless you like to move..lol). If you are single or just newlywed a 2 bedroom home may be perfect, but think ahead, go a little bigger just so you and the family can grow; will save a lot of headaches down the road in trying to sell and buy something else.

5. Consider all the additional expenses a new home brings; whether you are upgrading from a small home or moving out of that apartment. There will be lots of bills that no one thinks about, your insurance will be higher, your electric bill will in most cases be a lot higher, your water bill and now you even have a tax bill. Prepare for all that. It is awesome to move into a new home, but I always see that people don’t prepare for the expenses that will go along with that home, upkeep down the road as well.

These are just a few of my personal tips that I give my family and friends, or even my husband when he gets the urge to move to a new home. I love dreaming of a new house, and it’s an awesome thing, but don’t jump into it, be prepared and it all will work out and be that much more enjoyable.

A few simple tips on how to prepare for a new home purchase and enter to #WIN up to $2000 with #BMOScavengerHunt

BMO Harris Bank knows that these life events can sometimes be shocking, unplanned and unforgettable. With the new five-week long BMO Harris Bank Scavenger Hunt Sweepstakes they take us through an interactive game experience geared around such life events. This week we are on week 3 and you will get lots of tips and idea revolving around a new Home and your finances,  to get you through a smooth transition for you and your family.

Be sure to enter for your chance to win the

BMO Harris Bank Scavenger Hunt Sweepstakes!! Don’t forget to follow BMO Harris on Facebook to keep up with all the savings tips and ideas they share. Each week opens a new environment that focuses on a life stage moment, where you can discover relevant financial information and collect tokens for a chance to win anywhere from $500-$2,000.

A few simple tips on how to prepare for a new home purchase and enter to #WIN up to $2000 with #BMOScavengerHunt

How do you prepare for a new home? Are you currently in the market or have plans? Did you just move? Would love to hear your tips and ideas that we all can use.

Visit Sponsor's Site

Filed Under: family Fun, Savings Tips, sponsored Tagged With: family, moving into a new home, new home purchase, Savings Tips, Sweepstakes, tips

Post Signature - Melanie

About Melanie Roberts

Florida Blogger, German Descendant, Travel Addicted, Recipe Developer, Pet Enthusiast, Mom of Three.

Comments

  1. Mistee Dawn says

    March 4, 2014 at 6:29 pm

    We are in the market for a new home, but it may be a year or so, so I need the tips!
    Mistee Dawn recently posted..Why not swap that sugar with Splenda? Plus a Twitter Party! #SweetSwapsMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Tammilee says

    March 4, 2014 at 6:45 pm

    These are fantastic tips! Thank you for sharing them. We hope to upgrade to a different house in the next few years.
    Tammilee recently posted..Get Away Giveaway ~ 5 night RV Rental Vacation in a 31′ double slide out motor homeMy Profile

    Reply
  3. Ellen Christian says

    March 4, 2014 at 6:55 pm

    Not borrowing the most you can is very important just in case.
    Ellen Christian recently posted..How to Make Gluten Free Instant OatmealMy Profile

    Reply
  4. Jennifer says

    March 4, 2014 at 6:56 pm

    What great tips! We bought the house we were renting from my grandparents so we never had to house hunt! We got off easy in that respect.
    Jennifer recently posted..Suggest a New Potato Chip Flavor in the Lays Do Us a Flavor Contest!My Profile

    Reply
  5. Pam says

    March 4, 2014 at 6:59 pm

    These are great tips. I also love how they are running the contest.
    Pam recently posted..How to Make an Easter Centerpiece and a Homemade Pedestal Serving StandMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Liz says

    March 4, 2014 at 7:13 pm

    I could not agree with you more about not buying up to your maximum amount. Who wants to be house poor?
    Liz recently posted..Cheesy Chicken Potato CasseroleMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Erika says

    March 4, 2014 at 7:29 pm

    Great tips. We are looking to sell our house and move to a bigger home (hopefully) within the next couple of years. One thing we will not compromise on is our budget – we’ve worked hard to become debt free (aside from our mortgage) and we plan to stay that way. 🙂
    Erika recently posted..DIY St. Patrick’s Day Leprechaun Juice BoxesMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Mama to 5 BLessings says

    March 4, 2014 at 7:59 pm

    this looks like a fun way to win a nice prize! I am going to check it out!
    Mama to 5 BLessings recently posted..Showing You Our Disney Side #DisneySideMy Profile

    Reply
  9. Kelsey Apley says

    March 4, 2014 at 8:08 pm

    Great tips for sure!! We bought our first home like 6 years ago, it was a bit scary walking in to a huge investment but we are super happy!!
    Kelsey Apley recently posted..Check out these adorable Easter Egg No Bake Cookie Nest I madeMy Profile

    Reply
  10. brett says

    March 4, 2014 at 8:20 pm

    #3. Its SO IMPORTANT!! they told us we were approved for over $400,000 than we could EVER comfortably afford. they don’t take into account living expenses!
    brett recently posted..Super Hero Mashers from Hasbro #MyMashUpMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Amber Edwards says

    March 4, 2014 at 8:29 pm

    Those are great tips to consider. We are actually embarking on our first home purchase this summer. It is a lot of information to gather and prepare for. This is helpful.
    Amber Edwards recently posted..Nutella Butter Bars Recipe made on Nonstick Silicone Baking Mat by Cuina KitchenMy Profile

    Reply
  12. jenny at dapperhouse says

    March 4, 2014 at 8:42 pm

    Thank you for posting about not maxing out your loan. This is so tempting but causes financial ruin and divorce. No need to be stressed out over your home when you could be in something you love and can afford! Great tips.
    jenny at dapperhouse recently posted..Finding a Prom Dress that She Loves at a Price you Can AffordMy Profile

    Reply
  13. Angela S says

    March 4, 2014 at 9:15 pm

    These are great tips! I might be relocating in a couple of years and will be in the market to buy a house again.

    Reply
  14. Jennifer Soltys says

    March 4, 2014 at 9:16 pm

    Don’t borrow your maximum is the best tip!! We almost did that and would have been super in trouble now.
    Jennifer Soltys recently posted..Girls’ Night Out with The Single Moms Club Giveaway #SingleMomsClub #sponsored #MCMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Nicole B says

    March 4, 2014 at 9:57 pm

    Those are all wonderful tips to help people thinking of buying a home.
    Nicole B recently posted..Take Photos in Style with mod Camera Straps & AccessoriesMy Profile

    Reply
  16. Nicole says

    March 4, 2014 at 10:01 pm

    I see so many people make the mistake of borrowing to their maximum then something goes wrong or needs repaired and they don’t have the money to take care of it. Great tips, Melanie!
    Nicole recently posted..Thrift Treasure: Kakuro for DummiesMy Profile

    Reply
  17. Pauline Cabrera says

    March 4, 2014 at 10:18 pm

    Buying a house can be one of the biggest investments you will ever make in your life. I am sure that many of your will agree. Thus, it is very important that home buyers should consider many factors before finally making a purchase. Thanks for the tips you shared here Melanie! I am glad I came across your blog. 🙂

    Reply
  18. Nancy says

    March 5, 2014 at 12:23 am

    Love these tips, so true! Owning a house is something that is amazing, everyone can do it if they set their minds to it.

    Reply
  19. Heather says

    March 5, 2014 at 1:05 am

    It’ so important to prepare for a new purchase… and not hard to do!
    Heather recently posted..10 Things Your Blog Must Have To SucceedMy Profile

    Reply
  20. Melissa says

    March 5, 2014 at 1:24 am

    Great tips! We just bought our own home last year!
    Melissa recently posted..Chocolate Caramel Cookie CupMy Profile

    Reply
  21. Kristin says

    March 5, 2014 at 9:43 am

    Really great tips! We are just getting ready to buy.
    Kristin recently posted..My Top Travel Must Haves: Venus SnapMy Profile

    Reply
  22. Kristin Wheeler says

    March 5, 2014 at 12:32 pm

    We have moved many times!!! Love these tips!
    Kristin Wheeler recently posted..Dreaming of a Disney Vacation?My Profile

    Reply
  23. Brittany C. says

    March 5, 2014 at 3:57 pm

    It’s stressful buying a new home! We almost bought but decided to rent recently.
    Brittany C. recently posted..NeoCell Beauty Bursts Gourmet Collagen Soft Chews Review (+Giveaway – Win a $100 NeoCell Gift Certificate!)My Profile

    Reply
  24. Greta says

    March 6, 2014 at 1:32 am

    These are great tips. It’s sooo easy to get sucked into that “you can afford XXX amount” wh n you really aren’t comfortable there.
    Greta recently posted..Jord Wood Watch Giveaway #fashionistaeventsMy Profile

    Reply

Share Your Thoughts Cancel reply

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

You can add a link to follow you on twitter if you put your username in this box.
Only needs to be added once (unless you change your username). No http or @

Talk to Me

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Welcome


Hi! I’m Melanie a mom of 2 Teen Boys & 1 Girl. I’m your everyday average working mom, wife and friend that likes to share recipes, DIY tips, techy things and anything from crafts to home remodel. I’m a Brand Ambassador, recipe creator and love to share things both from the US and my home Country Germany. So stick around and see what fun things we come up with.

Search

Subscribe

Our Recipe Section

Strawberry-Shortcake-Fresh-From-Florida-_Recipe-_thumb1

We love our Pets

My-Peanut-Gallery-sure-are-spoiled-_PedigreeGives_thumb

Our DIY Ideas

creating-a-backyard-oasis-with-fabric-and-flowers-_DIY-2_thumb

Our Germany Travels and Recipes

lufthansa-plane-copy

PR Info

I'll gladly write a product review for your business or host a giveaway for you. Please contact me with information about your product to evaluate and I'll let you know if it is appropriate for my blog and readers.



Categories

Search

Archives

Copyright © 2023 · 2 Boys + 1 Girl = One Crazy Mom - Designed by Pumpkin Beans- Recipe Pro Theme by Bloggerette Studio