It's a good time to buy a home. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, getting approved for a home loan is easier than it has been at any time in this past decade, with lenders recently approving 77% of loans, up from 71% in mid-2015. On top of that, interest rates are still extremely low, historically speaking.
You might want to act relatively quickly, though, as interest rates have inched up recently and seem likely to continue doing so over the coming years. Rates for 30-year loans hit a nearly three-year high of 4.32% in December, and were recently around 4.27%.
Image source: Getty Images.
Location, location, location
The interest rate you get plays a big part in your satisfaction with your mortgage -- but there are other real estate factors to consider, too. Below, for example, are five states deemed best for homeowners by the folks at valuepenguin.com. They arrived at their results by assessing factors such as a housing market strength, costliness of home maintenance, local crime rates, and insurance rates (along with chances of calamities). These winners are more rural, overall, contributing to lower crime rates and some lower costs.
|
Rank |
State |
Homeowner Score (out of 100) |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Iowa |
83 |
|
2 |
South Dakota |
81 |
|
3 |
Wyoming |
79 |
|
4 |
Nebraska |
78 |
|
5 |
Maine |
77 |
Source: valuepenguin.com.
Tax tolls
Another key consideration as you mull becoming a homeowner in certain locations is the property tax hit you'll face. Here are the five states with the lowest effective property tax rates:
|
State |
Effective Real State Tax Rate |
Recent Median Home Value |
Estimated Tax on Median Home |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Hawaii |
0.28% |
$504,500 |
$1,405 |
|
Alabama |
0.43% |
$123,800 |
$538 |
|
Louisiana |
0.48% |
$140,400 |
$672 |
|
Delaware |
0.53% |
$232,900 |
$1,231 |
|
South Carolina |
0.57% |
$137,600 |
$790 |
|
District of Columbia |
0.57% |
$454,500 |
$2,601 |
Source: WalletHub and data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Of course, a low property tax rate isn't enough. If home values are steep, even a low rate can leave you facing a big bill. Compare Hawaii and Louisiana, for example. Hawaii's tax rate is close to half of Lousiana's, but Louisiana's far less expensive homes will have most homebuyers paying significantly less in taxes.
Image source: Getty Images.
Make informed choices
Fortunately, right now, and probably for the next year or two, interest rates will remain on the low side, historically speaking -- even in those states with above-average interest rates.
It's smart to figure out just how much home you can afford -- especially because your tax bill will be based on the home's value. It can be tempting to go big, but doing so can leave you with little margin of safety in case you or a spouse loses a job or your household faces some major unexpected expenses. Also, once you decide that you're ready to make an offer as soon as you see a home you want, it's helpful to get pre-approved for a mortgage. That can make you a more competitive buyer.
So go ahead and take advantage of low interest rates for mortgages -- which currently exist in all 50 states -- but also consider other aspects of homes you consider, such as their location and their tax rates. Make some smart moves now and you may be able to spend thousands of dollars less.
