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If 2025 is the year you have decided to purchase a new home, whether as a first-time buyer or a seasoned home owner, the best time to start preparing is now. Following these five simple strategies will help place you in an ideal position to find a home that is a good fit for you and your family. Take a Closer Look at Your Credit Score. The first step toward purchasing a new home is to examine your finances closely. Start by making sure you know your credit score. Your credit score will help determine the interest rate and associated costs you pay on a mortgage loan. In general, the higher your credit score, the lower the interest rate you will qualify for. Examine Your Finances. Before you search for a home, you must know how much house you can afford. Experts recommend talking to a qualified lender to help you determine your price range. As the buyer, you are the best judge of what you can realistically afford, so you should not set your home buying budget based on your maximum loan approval amount. Plan for a Down Payment and Associated Costs. Once you figure out how much you’re willing to spend, you need to set a down payment goal. The longstanding myth is that you must put down 20 percent to purchase a home. You can move forward with a home purchase with a much lower down payment. Two factors that primarily impact your down payment amount are the home’s price and the type of home loan you secure. In addition to your down payment, you must budget for loan fees and closing costs. Evaluate Your Needs. Put pen to paper, outline what you need and want in a new home and create a “must have” list. Start by thinking about why you’re ready to purchase a new home. Maybe you need a bigger space or want to move to a school district that fits your family’s needs. Creating a list of what you need in your new home will save you time when you are ready to start looking. Your next home may not meet every item on your priority list, so you must decide what factors you can compromise on and how you can stay within your budget. Sell Your Current Home. If buying your home this year is contingent upon selling your home, you should be prepared if the timing doesn’t align perfectly. Another consideration is to ensure you have sufficient funds on hand if you cannot have concurrent home closings. A real estate agent can help you navigate the transitions. A buyer or seller market makes a difference in timing the transaction, and a real estate agent and HBA of Columbia can shed light on local market factors. Contact Jami Clevenger (jami.clevenger@columbiahba.com) to learn about homeownership opportunities in the Columbia, MO area.

The holidays can be the most wonderful and busy time of year. When traveling or decorating your home, what might not be at the top of your mind is how safe your home is this holiday season. For example, holiday lights can pose a fire hazard without proper oversight. To help you address potential safety hazards during a bustling holiday season, here’s a quick list of safety precautions to help you keep your family and home safe during the holiday season. Home Security • If you’ve been considering a security system, now is a great time to install one. At a minimum, ensure your front door is secured and always locked. • Ask a friend or neighbor to watch your house and take in your newspaper, mail and any packages if you plan to spend the holidays away from home. • When traveling, put lights throughout the house on timers according to your usual living pattern. • Make sure to keep any gifts in a safe place that cannot be seen from the outside of your home. Christmas Trees • Place Christmas trees at a safe distance from stoves, radiators, vents, fireplaces and any other heat source that may dry the tree. • Water your Christmas tree daily. A tree can burn very hot and fast when it is dry. • Keep a fire extinguisher near your Christmas tree. Ensure your family has a fire emergency escape plan and your tree doesn’t block any exits. Lights and Other Decorations • Inspect all holiday light wiring. Safety experts recommend throwing away defective, worn or frayed electrical wiring. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), almost one-third of home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems. • Use no more than three light sets on any one extension cord. Also, don't run electrical cords under rugs. Be sure all lights are turned off before you go to bed or leave the house. • The USFA also recommends placing candles at least 12 inches away from anything that burns, ensuring they are in stable holders and cannot be knocked down easily. Never leave burning candles unattended, and always supervise children when burning candles. • When buying artificial decorations, check for "flameproof" or "fire retardant" qualities. Following a few safety precautions will help ensure your holiday celebrations remain festive for your entire family. Learn more about home safety at HBA of Columbia ( columbiahba.com ).