Buying a Home in the Right Location

Home Purchase Loans

When you think about your perfect home, there’s probably an image of the building that pops up in your mind. But what’s around it?

Location Matters

According to the National Association of Realtors, more people are willing to compromise on a home’s condition and size, than on the quality of the neighborhood or distance from a school. So, where your dream home is, is a big deal.

What to Look For

Nearby schools – even if you don't have kids!
School zones are great for property values and easier reselling later.
Noise and traffic levels
Drive through the neighborhood on different days and at different times to get a feel for the noise, activity levels, and traffic.
Nearby services
Check a map for nearby hospitals, fire services, pharmacies, grocery stores, and any other amenities you’d like to be close to.

What can you afford there?

If you’ve got the neighborhood or city in mind, it’s worth checking out how much home you could afford. Use the HomeAdvantage Affordability Calculator to see if your dream neighborhood is a place you could afford now, or later on in life.

And partnering with the right real estate agent can speed up the process. Our free service with HomeAdvantage® can help with that, too.

A Good Credit Score Helps

Having a strong credit score makes it easier for you to get a home loan, and often means a lower interest rate.

A+ Tip: You can check your credit score and sign up for credit monitoring in the Affinity Plus mobile banking app or online banking, right on the Accounts screen. All for free!