Is The Time Right To Buy A Home?

Back in April 2011, U.S.A. Today reported the lack of first-time homebuyers are “hampering the ability of the U.S. Housing Market to gain traction.” Making a decision to buy – or not – depends on a variety of factors.

If you are struggling to make your rent payments on time, bills, pay down your debt and save money, you should probably stick to renting until you learn how to budget. Mounting credit cards loans and other personal loans should be paid down prior to entering the housing market.

Owning a home comes with many benefits…and challenges. Buying a home will be the largest and most important financial decision you’ll ever make, provided you buy at the right time. Historically, the real estate market has been a solid financial investment however a profit is not always a guarantee.

Home prices, whether you live in Macon or Fayetteville,Georgia vary, depending on where you live. To get a grasp of what you can truly afford, speak with a loan officer before looking at houses. He or she will analyze your financial situation and will be able to provide an accurate estimate of how large a mortgage you can afford. Find out what documents you will need to bring with you.

Envoy Middle Georgia’s loan officers have extensive experience and knowledge about the real estate and mortgage markets. Get an honest feel about what it’s like to own a home by doing research.

The Loan Process

If you’re contemplating moving into a new home, prepare by following Envoy Middle Georgia’s Six Simple Steps to the loan process. Over the years, our company has helped many families, individuals and companies navigate the complex world of getting a mortgage loan. We believe accurate and important information is essential in making the process easier.

Envoy’s Six Simple Steps:

1. Papers scattered everywhere? Get organized! Gather the following documentation: valid identification; your last two pay stubs or other forms of income documentation, a divorce decree, if you have one, bank statements, recent retirement statement accounts, monthly payments on all open accounts and tax returns.

2. Before you call a real estate agent, call one of our loan officers and set up an appointment to get prequalified. Bring the documents listed above. This step is essential, since pre-qualification will determine how much house you can afford. You’ll also be in a position where you can negotiate the asking price of a home with a seller because you’ve been pre-approved. In turn, it will help you close a lot sooner.

3. Once you’ve been preapproved for a loan, discuss the various financing options available with your loan officer. Have a discussion about the length of the home. Do you plan to sell in a few years? Are you planning to raise a family long-term in the home?

4. This exciting step involves applying for the loan. Your loan officer will walk you through all the required documentation.

5. Once you’ve applied for your loan, the approval process will begin immediately. The verification of your credit history, employment history and more will take place. Depending on your situation, additional documentation may be required.

6. Once your loan has been approved, you’ll be required to sign the final documents. You should be prepared to bring a certified check for your down payment. Your loan should close once the documents are signed. If you are refinancing or have applied for a home equity loan, federal law requires that the documents be reviewed for three days before your loan can close.

For more information, contact one of our loan officers!

Welcome to Envoy Middle Georgia's Blog!

We'd like to welcome you to our blog!


We have offices throughout the region including Macon, Warner Robins, St. Mary’s, and Dalton in Middle Georgia. The company has licensed mortgage professionals who maintain high standards and uphold strong values and ethics. These ethics include putting people first, committing to excellence, creating innovative change, working with passion, and always doing the right thing.


We enjoy assisting borrowers to help them maintain and fulfill their dreams of home ownership.  Whether you are purchasing a home for the first time, a repeat buyer or looking to refinance an existing loan, it is vital to stay current on the latest updates to the home finance process.


Our blog will feature news and information that's necessary to buying your dream home! If you have questions, contact our qualified loan officers!




We look forward to hearing from you.




Envoy Middle Georgia