Buying a home is probably the most important purchase you will ever make…  these ten tips will help you better understand what you can expect from contract to closing.

 1. Determine Your Needs

The process of purchasing a home can be especially daunting if you don’t take the time to determine your needs. A real estate professional will be able to best assist you if you are willing to answer a few important questions:

• What is your current lifestyle and how will that play into the neighborhood or community you choose? e.g. sports enthusiast that requires hiking trails within the neighborhood
• Size of home including bedrooms, bathrooms, and specialty rooms such as media or pool room.
• Style of home: Ranch vs. Two-Story and Tudor vs. Cape Cod
• Schools, Religious institutions, commute to work all influence the area you choose to focus on

2. Consider the Cost of Homeownership

There are various financial commitments to consider, most importantly how a new home will fit into your budget.

You need to ensure that you can afford the monthly mortgage payment, as well as any expenses including utilities, taxes, insurance, maintenance, and/or possible homeowner’s association fees.

3. Interview an Exclusive Buyer Agent
A Buyer’s Agent will share valuable and essential information with you, if known, such as:

• • The seller’s reason for selling and timetable
  • Length of time the home has been on the market
  • Previous offers and counter offers for the property
  • Strengths and weaknesses of the property
  • Determining an offer price based on past comparable sales
  • Locating suitable property not currently on the market

You owe it to yourself to be the most knowledgeable buyer you can be. You can ask a buyer’s agent for advice and assistance in setting your offering price and structuring the other terms of your offer. What’s more, you’ll have peace of mind knowing an advocate is working on your behalf to help you buy at the best possible terms. 

Ask for references and listen to what other people have to say about their experiences with a particular agent. Ultimately, you want to find someone that knows your area, has a good grasp on current market conditions and that you feel comfortable with.

4. Decide if You Will Build or Buy Resale

Are you going to buy an existing home or build something new? There are pros and cons to both, with each a reflection of your lifestyle and needs.

This calls for thorough research to identify which of the above is beneficial to you as an aspiring homeowner.

 5. Location, Location, Location

Location is one of the key factors to consider in any home purchase. Make sure that you buy a home in areas where the value of property is set to increase as opposed to those with low prices and high chances of stagnation.

 6. Understand Mortgage Options

Speak with a mortgage professional about your options and make sure to share details about your current financial situation, including your monthly budget for a new home. They will be able to offer guidance on which loan program will work best for you.

  7. The Benefits of a Home Inspection

A home inspector will inspect the home prior to purchase to examine for structural and safety issues. An inspection is not required, but a wise choice as it will determine if the home is structurally sound and wiring and pluming are up to code.

They will also check for safety hazards, including loose railings, rotted or damaged porch or entryway steps and broken windows.

 8. Get Everything in Writing

The best way to protect yourself is to ensure that every part of your transaction is captured in writing. An example of this would be repairs the seller agrees to make prior to closing.

Your real estate professional is there to make certain those repairs are added to an addendum which becomes a part of the purchase agreement. You do not want to have a casual conversation with the seller that could be left to interpretation when it comes to the largest purchase you will probably ever make.

9. Finalize the Purchase

To avoid problems at the closing table, make sure you have a clear understanding of what to expect. Go through your loan details one last time so there are no surprises when it comes to interest rate, loan amount or mortgage term.

There will be a substantial amount of paperwork to sign so give yourself plenty of time to adequately review the details.

10. Home Improvements

Your home is a valuable asset. Once you close, continue to put aside money on a monthly basis for any necessary repairs or maintenance.

It’s also important to note that certain upgrades may contribute to lower insurance premiums. This makes it important for you to stay in touch with your real estate professional. They can provide guidance on value boosting renovations.

Filed under: Blog, Exclusive Buyer Agent, Home Buyers, Home Financing, Real Estate by Kim Bregman
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