Planning to Get a Mortgage in 2017? 4 Reasons Why It’s Time to Start Paying Down Other Debts Now

Buying a home is an ideal investment for many people because not only is it a place that belongs to them, it can also be very beneficial financially. While you may be strongly considering buying a home for these reasons, it’s also important to be in good financial health so that your ideal home purchase is within reach. If you’re currently perusing the market for prospects, here are some reasons you should pay down debt before taking the leap into home ownership.

Good Credit History

The amount of your debt load and whether or not you’re paying off your minimum monthly payments has a considerable impact on your mortgage approval, so ensuring that you have good credit history going into the process is important. If you’ve had hiccups with your credit, make sure you go through your credit report prior to submitting your application to determine where you’re at.

Lowering Your Debt-to-Income Ratio

Whether or not you’ve heard the term, your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) has a significant impact on how much house you can afford. Made up of the amount of your monthly debt payment and current house payment, your DTI should be below a certain percentage as this will enable you to afford a higher home payment each month.

Shifting Interest Rates

Getting a mortgage is one thing, but interest rates add more to the monthly amount you’ll owe. A fixed-rate mortgage can seem like a good idea, but if interest rates are low you may end up paying more than you would on a variable rate, which can be hard to predict. As interest rates are a part of home ownership, having lower debt will enable you to deal with these additional costs.

Finding The Right Home

Putting your money into a home can be one of the best purchases you’ll make, but if you’re unable to afford the home you love, it can be a disappointing fact to face. While there are no assurances that paying down debt will enable you to afford your dream home, it can go a long way towards giving you more options that will fit your budget.

Buying a home can be a money saver in the long run, but if you’re struggling to keep up with your debt payments buying into the market can be more of a burden than anything else. If you’re currently paying down debt and considering a home purchase, give me a call and let me help start the planning process – J.P. Cook – 602-320-4253.

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22953 S 207th Place Queen Creek, AZ 85142

$623,986

4 Beds

3 Baths

2,309 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6740939

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

MLS#6740939 January Completion! The Cambridge at Ellsworth Ranch Landmark is a single-story floor plan offering 2,474 sq. ft. of living space with 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a 2-car garage, and an exercise/flex room. A welcoming porch greets you at the front of the house. Upon entering, the foyer leads you down a hallway with secondary bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms on one side and a laundry room on the other. Continuing straight, you'll arrive at the spacious, open kitchen, great room, and dining area—a space sure to capture your heart. Structural options include: garage service door.

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5709 S Dante -- Mesa, AZ 85212

$623,986

3 Beds

2.5 Baths

2,290 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6745163

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

MLS#6745163 Ready Now! Discover the stunning Hillary Expedition Collection. This single-level home offers 2,290 square feet of well-designed living space, including 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a private study, and a spacious 3-car garage on a corner lot. The heart of the home is its open-concept design, featuring a large gathering room, a chef-inspired island kitchen, and a welcoming dining area. Sliding glass doors seamlessly connect the living space to the extended covered back patio and finished backyard. The two secondary bedrooms share a convenient Jack &Jill bath, while a private study is thoughtfully positioned near the front entry. Home options include: window coverings, whole house appliance package, and finished backyard.

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4574 W Gilbert Lane San Tan Valley, AZ 85144

Open House

$623,645

5 Beds

4.5 Baths

3,291 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6664214

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

This home truly has it all. The SLATE plan is for those who want everything in their new home. The primary bedroom, guest room, and home office are all downstairs. The kids retreat featuring three generous sized bedrooms and a spacious loft are upstairs. This Slate features a desert contemporary exterior with all of the contemporary upgrades on the interior. Features include a gorgeous gourmet kitchen, custom backsplash, satin nickel fixtures and hardware, wood-look tile in all the common areas, and granite countertops.

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2300 E Concorda Drive Tempe, AZ 85282

$623,500

4 Beds

2 Baths

2,252 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6704841

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

This 4 bedroom, 2 bath large open great room floor plan includes many features: Open kitchen with massive island, lots of counter space, many cabinets, Huge diving pool, Extra large master bedroom, 3 walk in closets, updated bathrooms, corner lot, RV parking with slab and gate, large storage shed, covered patios, North/South exposure, amazing location - close to Freeways, ASU, MCC, Mesa & Tempe Schools, Banner Hospital and Fiesta Mall. Lots of great restaurants close by too! Thank you for showing!!!

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2740 S Pleasant Place Chandler, AZ 85286

$623,000

4 Beds

3 Baths

2,350 SqFt

Status Active Under Contract

MLS # 6744938

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Fabulous 4 bedroom/3 bath home in the popular Chandler community of Carino Estates. Soaring ceilings & a beautiful wood staircase greet you as you enter. Formal living & dining rooms provide a perfect space for entertaining while the large family room is great for relaxation. Any chef would love the kitchen that boasts a plethora of upgraded cabinets, granite countertops with tile backsplash, pendant & recessed lighting, an island, breakfast bar and even a breakfast nook. The downstairs bedroom & full bath is a great space for guests. Upstairs you find the large master suite featuring a walk-in closet, separate tub & walk-in tiled shower, double sinks, his & hers closets & a sitting room that could double as an office or nursery. 2 additional bedrooms and another full bath can also be found upstairs. The back yard is a true private oasis with its covered patio, lush vegetation, large grassy yard & backing to the greenbelt so there are no neighbors directly behind. The 2-car garage and extended driveway provide plenty of parking and the RV gate leads to another concrete pad where you could park your toys. Located in a great community close to the 202 & 101 freeways and downtown Chandler with all its dining & shopping venues.

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5415 W Pontiac Drive Glendale, AZ 85308

$623,000

4 Beds

2.5 Baths

2,439 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6684020

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Excellent LOCATION in Arrowhead Lakes. Million-dollar homes in the neighborhood. Close to shopping. Elegant 4 bedrooms with master suite on the first floor and lake/mountain views from the second floor.

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2730 Nelson Lane Chino Valley, AZ 86323

$622,462

3 Beds

2 Baths

2,076 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6776501

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

BRAND NEW I Quick Move-in 1 Acre Lot in Peaceful Heritage Pointe. Nestled in Chino Valley, just outside of Prescott! This charming community offers a haven for families seeking an exceptional living experience. The homes in this community are build on 1-acre homesites, so you and your family can enjoy privacy while taking in the picturesque atmosphere. Heritage Pointe offers 7 distinct floorplans, modern amenities, open-concept layouts with designer finishes. For those enjoying travel, opt for a floorplan that includes an RV Garage! You won't want to miss out; plan a visit with us today.

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19016 W Rose Lane Waddell, AZ 85355

$621,915

6 Beds

3.5 Baths

3,159 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6770159

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Amazing 2 story floorplan, Downstairs owners suite plus guest suite. Professionally decorated gourmet kitchen, quartz center island with stainless appliances, Wood plank tile in common areas, Quartz countertops, tiled backsplash, staggered Harbor cabinets, oversized great room and eat in kitchen, oversized laundry room. Massive loft upstairs, Jack & Jill bath. Enjoy the peaceful sunsets on your covered patio and mountain views. Plenty of room for everyone and extra space in the 3 car tandem garage. This home will be completed in December/January

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6798 W Andrea Drive Peoria, AZ 85383

Open House

$621,900

3 Beds

2.5 Baths

2,051 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6722958

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Turnkey READY NOW-North/South Exposure. Experience the charm of Aloravita, nestled within the scenic mountains of Peoria. This community boasts breathtaking views and is conveniently located minutes away from shopping, dining, hiking trails and more! Our popular 'El Dorado' floorplan features 3 full bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2 Car-Garage and a private yard with views! Designer selected finish includes White Cabinetry, Quartz Kitchen Countertops, Wood Like Tile Throughout, and Plush Carpet in all the bedrooms. This beautiful home will have it all including 9' ceilings, Gourmet Gas Kitchen, Smudge Proof Stainless Steel Appliances, Blinds, Pre-Plumb for Soft Water, and Smart Home Technology. *Photos of similar spec to show layout, options will vary*

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10130 S Bickwell Trail Apache Junction, AZ 85120

$621,848

5 Beds

4 Baths

3,099 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6768168

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Discover the exceptional difference in your home-buying experience! Welcome to Laurel at Blossom Rock, where our 2-story Ponderosa design w/ LIVE in SUITE is under construction now. Imagine an open-concept floor plan featuring a warm and welcoming kitchen that flows into a bright, airy great room. This space opens up to your private, extended covered outdoor room - perfect for relaxing or entertaining. With 5 spacious bedrooms, 3 luxurious baths, a great room with a dining area, and a flexible office space, this home has everything! Plus, we're including $81,000 in stunning upgrades to make this home truly special, and we're offering special financing to help NOW.

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28250 N 134th Avenue Peoria, AZ 85383

New

$621,469

4 Beds

3 Baths

2,318 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6788574

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

A soon to be complete single-story Harbor with a Ranch exterior elevation style. This 4-bedroom home plus a flex room offers 3 and a half baths and a 3 car tandem garage. The kitchen features stainless steel appliances and stylish Mocha colored cabinetry and beautiful white quartz countertops. Throughout the home, find upgraded baseboards and wood-like tile. The home and community are at the base of a mountain and are near Vistancia. Home warranty included.

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7313 E Fillmore Street Scottsdale, AZ 85257

$621,000

4 Beds

2 Baths

1,841 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6762777

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Well maintained single story home with great South Scottsdale location. Close to ASU and Old Town. The appealing interior boasts updated flooring, neutral paint, a welcoming living room, large eat-in kitchen with sliding glass door leading to back patio. Kitchen equipped with updated stainless steel appliances including new D/W, granite counters, ample cabinet space, a peninsula with breakfast bar. French doors of master leads to a spacious yard. Approximately 224 sqft Casita offers exercise room/ office. Large workshop shed only steps from RV Gate. Large side yard to store all your toys. New electrical house panel and cast in 2021. Insulation updated 2021. New Hot water heater 2023. Great Investment opportunity!

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