If you are thinking about buying a home, here are two things you should do first

Are you looking for a new home in the near future?

Brittani Forbush, AVP, Public Relations for Mountain America Credit Union (MACU), joined us with the two things things you need to do.

1. Get pre-qualified
2. Determine what you can afford

Forbush says if you're considering buying a home in a few years, you can start to prepare by doing these three things.

1. Check your credit score and history and improve it if needed
2. Make sure you have a good employment history
3. Save up for a down payment

The amount needed for a down payment depends on the type of loan you're getting. First-time home buyers may need to finance up to 100 percent. Forbush says you also need to consider closing costs, whether you are going to finance them, pay out of pocket or negotiate for the seller to pay them. In some cases, you may need more cash to offer more than the asking price.

For more information you can visit the Must Reads section on macu.com or tune into the podcasts on the Mountain America YouTube channel.