Tips for Buying a Home
When purchasing a home many factors can influence your decision.
Whether you are a first time homebuyer, or building your dream home, you can find information that will help you decide what to look for when purchasing a home.
Whether you have spent years saving and preparing to buy a home, or you still aren’t sure if it is something you can even dream of, the questions surrounding a first-time home purchase can feel endless.
Define your need
Area, Distance from work, Type of the house, Area, Neighborhood, Price range, School district, and other factors.
Pre-qualify for a loan
Being pre-qualified for a loan determines how much house you can afford. It also allows you to move more swiftly when you find the right house, especially when you aren’t the only interested buyer.
Shop for mortgage rates and terms
A difference of even half a percentage point can make a huge difference in how much you pay over the life of a loan. Ask for Good Faith Estimates and compare Annual Percentage Rates (APR). Compare different terms with your need.
Understanding the Advantages of Buyer Agency
A buyer agent is legally responsible for representing the buyer’s interest in a real estate transaction. Generally, the buyer agent is compensated by the seller at the time you purchase a new home. There are some limitations to using a buyer agent, however. Before you decide, have a real estate agent explain the advantages and disadvantages of using a buyer agent.
Features that help or hurt resale value
In some areas, a swimming pool actually lower a home’s value and makes the home harder to sell. In neighborhoods with two-car, attached garages, a single-car or detached garage may impact the home sale and future value. Your Realtor can point out features that hurt, as well as those that help, resale value.
Help you Evaluate Properties
Develop a rating system which will help you narrow the field down to the house that’s the best for you.