Research before you look. Decide what features you most want to have in a home, what area you prefer, and how much you’d be willing to spend each month for housing.
Be realistic. It’s OK to be picky, but don’t be unrealistic with your expectations. There’s no such thing as the perfect home. Use your list of priorities as a guide to evaluate each property.
Get your finances in order. Review your credit report and be sure you have enough money to cover your down payment and closing costs. Then, talk to a lender and get pre-qualified for a mortgage. This will save you the heartache later of falling in love with a house you can’t afford.
Don’t ask too many people for opinions. It will drive you crazy. Select one or two people to turn to if you feel you need a second opinion, but be ready to make the final decision on your own.
Decide your moving timeline. When is your lease up? Are you allowed to leave before it is up without penalty? How tight is the rental market in your area? All of these factors will help you determine when you should move.
Think long term. Are you looking for a starter house with plans to move up in a few years, or do you hope to stay in this home for a longer period? This decision may dictate what type of home you’ll buy as well as the type of mortgage terms that will best suit you.
Insist on a home inspection. A home inspector is trained to look for defects you might not see and will provide you with a lot of maintenance information.
Get help from a REALTOR. Hire a real estate professional. They will help you find your home of choice and assist you with the buying process from start to finish.
If you have any questions, give me a call at 304-822-4350.
Until next time,
Sandra Hunt, Broker
ABR, ABRM, AHWD, CRS, GRI, SFR, SRES
nice to meet you… you have a nice posting..have a nice day… 21:58