Buying real estate can be a daunting process for anyone. It can also be very exciting because it is a goal shared by many people. Before you embark on the goal of buying anything though, you are going to have to know a few things. Below are some essential tips and sound advice to help you get started.
When buying a home, get pre-approved. Don´t think that being pre-qualified means the same as pre-approved. If you have been pre-approved, it means that a lender has taken a look at your credit history and financial information and is prepared to offer you a loan. They will let you know exactly what you can afford to buy and how much they are prepared to loan you. Pre-qualified, simply means that you are qualified to go through the pre-approval process.
When you are interested in buying a home you should always shop around for the best mortgage and deals. There are several places that you can choose from such as banks, mortgage lenders, credit unions, housing agency mortgages, local and state programs, and mortgage assistance programs. When you look around you will know that you are getting the best deals out there.
Prior to making any offer on a property, be sure to hire an inspector to look over every part of the home. Nothing is quite as disheartening as moving into a home and six months later finding out that the foundation is failing. Check the inspector´s credentials, performance history and references before settling on one to inspect your investment.
An important aspect to consider when buying a house is the number of bedrooms. Each neighborhood was built in a family model in sight so it is easier and usually cheaper to find a 3-4 bedroom house in an area where most of the houses have 3-4 bedrooms. If the neighborhood usually has smaller houses, you will pay much more for the extra bedroom.
Do not purchase a home purely based on a virtual tour that you have seen of the home. Sometimes looks can be deceiving and there may be things that you cannot catch on the screen. Walking through the home would be a much better decision so you can see everything.
When purchasing real estate, you should be realistic in thinking about your resale options. If you are not going to stay in the home for the duration of the mortgage, like many first time buyers tend not to do, then weigh the cost vs. resale of the property, so you have a clear idea of the life of the purchase.
Stick to your gut. You know a good decision when you see one and you know a bad decision too. Your instinct can tell you a lot about whether or not something is right for you. Use that intuition when it comes to real estate purchases. If something doesn´t feel right, don´t push it. There is a lot of money at stake.
Ask yourself a lot of questions before your next home purchase. Know what style house best fits your needs. Get a good grasp on how much home you can actually afford, too. Narrowing down your search, will point you in the right direction and help you find the home of your dreams, much faster.
Remember to examine the commute times that will be involved in the purchase of a particular piece of real estate. How long does it take to get from the home to work? What about going from the house to schools? What about shopping? A house that is priced low but guarantees hours of commuting time may not be the bargain it appears at first glance.
An oral agreement doesn´t hold water when it comes to real estate contractual terms. If the homeowner tells you something is included with the house (furniture, lawn care equipment, etc.) and the agent does not mention it, your best bet is to get it in writing. This will help to cover all your bases in case of a dispute.
When you are buying a house that has just been built, you can be dealing with a company that really wants to push a sale. They are very good at making you think this is a good idea, when the timing may not be good for you. Don´t let anyone pressure you into a price you do not like, or a house you are not ready for. You are the one who has to pay the bills.
Before looking at the houses that are for sale, you need to decide if you are really ready for such a large purchase. Not only do you need to look at your finances, you need to make sure you are ready for the commitment and the responsibility that goes along with home owning.
It is important to remember when buying a house, you will need extra money for the closing costs, the inspections and future expenses such as buying furniture. Don´t forget to add that up when looking at your budget and how much you want to spend. You can qualify for a mortgage that is more then the cost of the house, and use the extra for those expenses.
As you have read in this article, purchasing real estate will always be filled with different compromises or tough decisions that you will have to make. It always helps to be well educated on the subject matter, so it won´t overwhelm you. Apply the tips from the article to your next real estate purchase for full success.
|
More Stars = Higher Rank
