Buying a home is often considered one of life’s biggest and greatest investments, which is why, if you’re thinking about buying your next home it’s important that you know exactly what you are getting into! Before you contact Furner Realty Group to help, check out this list of 10 things you should consider before buying a home.
1. The experience of the people guiding you.
When you start looking for a home, you first find people with a lot of opinions. It’s essential to listen to the advice of those who have the experience and reputation that best suits your needs.
2. The size of the home you need
Never – no matter how tempting it is – buy a bigger home than what you currently need and can afford (expected family growth included). A big house just means more space to maintain, more utility bills to pay and more things that could go wrong!
3. Your loan approval numbers.
Getting pre-approval for a loan isn’t an instant lock, but it does give you a very good idea of what sort of mortgage you can handle. Your pre-approval also helps to review how much you may need to consider as a down payment, making this a crucial first step to buying a home!
4. What home inspections might uncover
Tips for buying a home should always include information on an inspection. A home inspection isn’t just a formality, it’s a necessity to understand the health of the home you are buying. imagine finding out after settlement that the roof needs replaced (YIKES!)
5. The state of the neighborhood.
Take a walk around the block! If what you see in the neighborhood makes you feel uneasy, uncomfortable, or unimpressed, then this may not be the right area for you! Remember, this could be the place where you reside.
6. The age of appliances.
Appliances are an expensive component of any home, especially if you are a first-time home buyer. If appliances are included with the sale, make sure to take a closer look at them. If appliances are more than 10 years old, then the time for replacement is coming, Talk with your Realtor about how to compact this when considering whether or not to submit an offer.
7. Proximity to work and school.
Check the routes to and from work and your local school district. If you have any specific criteria for travel, make sure to take this into consideration when reviewing these routes – think about how busy the route is and the time it will take to or from.
8. Which way do the windows face?
A small and often overlooked detail is considering which direction the home faces. For example, homes that don’t have a lot of tree coverage and are facing East will receive all of the morning sun. This is an important facet of proper house management, and will also give you an idea of how to maintain the exterior of your potential future home!
9. Homeowner Association details.
HOA communities can have a lot of rules, regulations, and monthly fees. If you find a home of interest to you, it’s important to know whether or not the home is located in an HOA community. Furthermore, it’s important to know the details of the HOA community and what you can or cannot do as a homeowner inside of this community.
10. State of offers on the home.
Are there any other current offers on the house, or are there expected to be? These are important questions to ask your representing agent, as a multiple-offer situation may change the type of offer you submit – if you decide to submit one at all!
If you’re thinking about getting into the market to buy, Furner Realty Group can help guide you through. Contact us today to get started!
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