Mortgage Resource Center

Before you even start shopping, you need to have an idea of how much home you can afford. Use our interactive calculator to see what your price range is.

Home Affordability Calculator:

Rent or Buy Calculator:

Although there are a lot of great resources online when shopping for a home, nothing is better than the personal service you get from a real estate agent. The right one will help you make a smart decision, point out potential problems in a house you may be considering, and help you find the best home within your price range.

The best way to find an exceptionally good agent is to get a recommendation from friends and family. If there’s an agent who has already worked with someone you know, and that person was happy with the relationship, chances are you will be too. Look at the “for sale” signs on the lawns of homes in neighborhoods you’re considering. Does one name keep coming up? You might want to check them out.

You can also check out any prospective agents on the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials website to see if they’re truly licensed, are keeping up with continuing education courses, and have had no complaints filed against them. You can also find a realtor at the Greater Syracuse Association of Realtors website.

While buying a home, especially your first, can be exciting, working with the right real estate agent will help make your experience a positive one. There are many excellent real estate agents in your area. Take the time to find a good one, and happy house-hunting!

Getting pre-qualified for a mortgage shows sellers that you’re serious. In fact, most sellers won’t accept offers that don’t come with a home loan pre-qualification.
This is the key to showing agents and sellers that you are prepared to buy. Speak with an AmeriCU Mortgage Executive to prepare you to work with the professionals involved with your home purchase.

Make a list of you all your must-haves, want-to-haves, and would-love-to-haves. Think about what’s important to you. Are you looking for a great school district? Do some research at greatschools.org and find out where the best schools are.

Search online for homes in your area that are in your price range. Talk to your real estate agent about what matters the most to you. Visit open houses and make appointments for showings. Your home is out there, you just have to find it!

Look for red flags!
It’s important to be informed and be sure your dream home isn’t actually hiding nightmares!
A professional inspection before signing on a home is a given, but did you take a careful look around? You don’t want any unpleasant surprises after you’ve moved in.

Check for the following:

A sturdy roof. Do the shingles look like they’re going to give way in a few years? That can translate into expensive repairs. If you like the house and don’t mind replacing a faulty roof, use it as a negotiating point to get a lower price.

Efficient heating and cooling systems. These can be costly to fix and replace, and inefficient systems can really hike up your utility bills.

Strong structural components. Most sellers will give their house a new coat of paint before showing it to buyers, but don’t be fooled. If the foundation is weak, the best paint job won’t cover it up. Check beneath the surface for strong pipes, wiring, and insulation.

Overall functioning of the home. Don’t be shy; try out everything in your potential new home. Open doors and windows, turn on every faucet, flick each light switch, flush toilets and taste the water. If you find any major problems, you may want to give this house a second thought. If you don’t mind a handful of minor repairs, remember to use these as a negotiating point.

Found your dream home? Great! Now it’s time to make an offer. Good thing you’ve already been pre-qualified with AmeriCU and know exactly what you can (and can’t) afford.

Work with your realtor to put in a purchase offer. In a tight housing market, time is of the essence. You never know how many other people are also interested.

Once your offer has been accepted, contact your AmeriCU Mortgage Executive to apply for your mortgage. You’ll have to gather the necessary documentation and provide it to your Mortgage Executive who will help you through the whole application process. Or you can get started online today.

Apply for a mortgage online.

You’ve made a big investment in your home – and now you need to protect it! Talk to a licensed, experienced professional and make sure you have the coverage you need.

Get homeowner’s insurance.

Congratulations! You did it! Now comes the exciting part. Close on your loan, get the keys, and move in. We hope you enjoy your new home for many years to come!