Having knowledge is essential when buying a home. Read as much as you can, take a college course on home buying and talk to real estate agents. If it is your first time purchasing a house, you need to make sure you have a lot of support and someone who has done this before, helping you out, to make sure your decisions are in your best interest.
If you have to move because of a job offer, make sure you visit your future town or city. You do not want to commit to a home without going to look at it. It may seem nice in pictures, but there could be problems that you would only know about if you see it in person.
Your real estate agent is almost certainly concerned with making you happy, but they are also concerned with making as much possible on commission given the state of the housing market. Look online and do your own research, and if you find a house that meets your qualifications at the low end of your budget that the agent doesn't present to you, then you know they aren't looking out for your best interest.
When purchasing a home, know that it really does not make much of a difference to the buyer if you are paying cash or getting a mortgage. To the seller money is money and that is what matters in the end. The fact that you want to pay cash does not make it more likely that they will accept a low ball offer.
An important tip to remember with real estate is to be sure to shop around for the perfect matching real estate agent for you. This is important because they are going to be an extremely important factor in possibly one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. Interview at least three different agents and go with who you mesh with the best, both with personality and goals.
Buying a home means being practical in your approach. Homes that have unusual or specialized materials and construction are typically more high maintenance. Look for homes that are sturdy, solid and simple in their design. Otherwise you will need to look at increasing your monthly home budget to incorporate increased maintenance.
Unless you have a green thumb and really love gardening, you might want to stay away from a home that is over-landscaped. You would have to pay a premium to purchase that house and then it would take quite a bit of money in order to maintain it after you purchased it.
When you invest in a home, you are investing in the surrounding community as well and that is why it is so important to look into the community where the house is. Find out about the school, community organizations, shopping locations and child care centers are available to make sure that it is a good fit for your needs.
When buying a home, you have to understand that the amount that you put down on the house greatly affects everything when buying the house. If you have a smaller down payment, then the mortgage company has to use stricter debt to income ratio guidelines when approving your loan. A smaller down payment also means that you have a higher monthly payment as well.
When looking for financing, don't be afraid to shop around. Different lenders may offer you different interest rates, or have other perks for specific buyers. Local credit unions especially may be able to offer you better rates than a national bank, if you already live or work in the area.
If you have young children, do not purchase a home that has a balcony or an open landing. This poses a major security risk. If your children fall or jump off of these things, they could get seriously hurt. If your new home does have these features, however, consider blocking them off from children.
When trying to figure out how much money to put away for the purchase of a home, you need to remember that the down payment is not the only financial responsibility that comes with buying a home. You will still have to factor in closing costs, realtor fees, property taxes, and moving expenses.
Be cautious when hiring a home inspector. Get recommendations from friends and family, and it is usually wise to hire your own inspector, even if the seller offers to have it inspected. Do not go with the first inspector you find, call and interview at least three so you can be confident in your choice.
Try to go out searching or looking at a particular property on a Sunday. There is far less traffic to contend with and you will be able to get a better look at the property that you are considering buying. You can also get the contact information of the broker selling the property at that time.
Don't make the mistake of overlooking costs. When you are in the market to buy real estate, and especially when you find a place you want, you need to check and double check everything. It is great to get a good price on property, but buying one with a looming repair bill can be a bust.
When buying a real estate property, make sure to investigate the electrical, plumbing and other utilities that any buildings on the property may have. Fixing some of these utilities can be extremely expensive so if they are deficient, this will need to be reflected in the new selling price.
Short Sales
Even if you and the seller agree on a price, there could be an issue with the price once an appraisal is done. Depending on the market, short sales and foreclosures can drastically bring down the price of a property if no other comparable sales have taken place. A mortgage company will not loan you the money for an amount that is lower then the appraisal, so something will have to be done to make adjustments.
Make sure you understand that purchasing a home is not a quick and easy process. You have to have patience for homeowners to make repairs, and for proper documents to be signed. If time is of the essence for you, try to avoid homes that are foreclosures or short sales.
Looking to purchase a short sale? Hire a realtor who specializes in them. Short sales can be tricky and the buying process can be long. A qualified realtor with specific experience in this area will know how they work. This will give you the best chance of getting your home at the price you want.
When you are buying a home from things like auctions and short sale places you should "play the field". You should be looking at several homes at once because you never know when someone will bid a bit more than you and take it. Many short sales don't end up working out so if you keep a eye on several homes and one falls through you may be able to swoop in and get it for a even better price.
If you are looking for auction and short-sale homes, don't stick to one prospect. Aim at several homes so that you won't be left hanging dry if one deal falls through. There are many parties in these transactions, so much can go wrong. It is estimated that only about a fifth of attempted short sales are completed.
If you need to find a home to purchase in a short period of time, do not go with a short sale. Although the name may indicate that the sale of the house is quick, this is not the case. Most short sales take double the time of a normal sale.
Buyers who need to buy a property quickly should stay away from short sales. The word "short" definitely doesn't reflect the time length of the process. In this case the bank agrees to sell the property for an amount which does not satisfy the leans on the property. This process can take months while a "regular" sale can be closed in about a month.
Any one of these tips could be the key to finding a great house at an amazing price - or to avoiding over-paying for a disappointing home. Reading this article is just the beginning of the intelligent buyer's real estate education. Research and learning should continue all the way through the buying process - a vital tip might come at just the right time.
