Buying a house and making it a home is a big deal. Buying a home can be a borderline frustrating and nerve-racking experience, most especially if you’re a first-time home buyer. May these three tips help you expedite the process, and make your house-shopping initiative a tad easier.
1. HIRE THE RIGHT AGENT
You’ll be working closely with your real estate agent, so it’s essential that you find someone you trust and get along with well. The right buyer’s agent should be highly skilled, motivated and knowledgeable about the area. Also, watch out for sugarcoated statements from agents. Remember, it’s their job to get you a house, and earn their commissions in doing so. It’s smart to be mindful of what they say, what they show you, and where they take you.
- THE RIGHT HOUSE, RIGHT NEIGHBORHOOD
You may assume you’ll buy a home that’s going to be perfect for your family, and that could be ideal if you want a big yard that comes with a lot of room. But if you’re willing to let some space go for less maintenance and extra work, and you don’t mind paying a homeowners association fee, a condo or townhouse could be a better fit.
But even if all your variables are right (The house, the time, and financing), the neighborhood could be all wrong and won’t even fit your vision.
So be sure to
Research: nearby schools within the vicinity, even if you don’t have children, since that constraint affects home value.
Look at: local safety, crime statistics, and neighborhood know-hows.
Be mindful of the nearest hospitals, pharmacies, grocery stores and other amenities you may use if ever you decided to settle to your chosen home location. Have a quick car ride through the neighborhood on various days and at different times to check out traffic, noise and activity levels.
- WORK WITH WHAT YOU HAVE AND STICK WITH IT.
Be on the look out for properties that cost less than the amount you were approved for. Although you can technically afford your preapproval amount, it’s the ceiling that will probably get you— and it won’t cover your other monthly expenditures or problems like a broken pipe that arise during homeownership, especially right after you buy. Shopping with a firm budget in mind will also help you make better and wiser decisions when the occasion arises.
Krys Dale's Blog 