Saving for a downpayment is one of the first steps to buying a home --apart from getting pre-qualified for a mortgage. Starting your savings also requires quite a bit of commitment. It takes discipline to forgo that weekend getaway with friends or reduce everyday purchases like your usual morning latte. But when you're saving for a house, every purchase and dollar saved must be a deliberate choice.

But where's the best place to store your home-savings nest egg? After all, you'll be saving in the tens of thousands, not just a couple of thousand. Lenders will also need to verify where your downpayment came from, meaning they'll want to see a record of deposits that prove your savings efforts or gifted funds.

Here are some suggestions for where to

Moving closer to work sounds reasonable but is it actually worth it? That’s what we want to help you answer with this article. If any of the points below sound like you, then buying a home closer to work may be the best move you could make.

Ready to buy your next home (or first home!) for reasons other than shortening your commute? We can make that happen! Contact us today to get pre-approved for a home loan and start home shopping.

Will buying a home closer to work save you money?

Sometimes you live out of the immediate work area because of high property values, thinking that it would be less expensive to commute. But the real test is to add up the cost of living, including the mortgage payment, utilities, and property taxes PLUS the cost

Mortgage rates have been relatively consistent, but don't let that get you too comfortable. Rates are changing all the time --by how much, and whether it will be in your favor, we cannot say. We can make intelligent guesses, but we can't predict with any certainty.

However, that doesn't mean that you are entirely powerless when it comes to taking charge of the mortgage rate you qualify for. You hold a lot of power, including the ability to qualify for a lower rate by improving your credit score, buying points, and exploring the rates of various home loan options.

And here is another idea for getting a low mortgage rate in an uncertain market: get a floating mortgage rate.

Locked and Floating Mortgage Rate Compared

Mortgage Rate Lock