Buying a home is such a huge purchase, and it's often a bit intimidating to know exactly what to do throughout the process. Even seasoned veterans can make some mistakes along the way. Here are a few of the most common mistakes you can make and how to avoid them.
You probably have read that your first step, prior to looking for homes, is to go to a lender and get pre-approved. This is a great first step. This will tell you how much money your lender will be willing to loan you and when you add this to the amount you have saved for the down payment, you get a total amount that you can spend. However, it is wise to note that you are in no way required to spend as much as you are able to get. Crunch your budget numbers and see what you are really comfortable paying each month. Be sure to figure in all of your monthly expenses as well as new home-related expenses you will incur, such as the property taxes and insurance for your home. Homeowner association dues are another expense to add in, as well.
A home is just like a person. You can't always judge them by the first appearance. Sometimes a home is outdated but in fantastic shape with a great layout and plenty of space. You must look beyond the ugly wallpaper, the orange shag carpeting, popcorn ceilings and faux wood paneling. That can all be fixed, and the seller's ugly furniture and knickknacks aren't going to be there after you buy the house, so ignore them. On the flip side, a house could look beautiful and perfectly staged, but have real problems. It might not have enough rooms for you or perhaps the roof needs to be replaced. Always look past the way a place looks to really judge whether this is the right home for you.
Once you find a house you really love, don't jump in until you really consider the location. A home on a busy street or across from a school or church might end up being too disruptive to your life. A home too far from shops, stores and restaurants also might end up being irksome. If it's a long drive to work, you might easily become sick of that long commute. If the schools aren't great, this could end up being a problem as well and even if you don't have kids, goods schools equal higher property values. Drive around the neighborhood, glance at the homes and yards of other neighbors. Visit in the early morning, in the afternoon and at night to judge the noise level.
While it is increasingly easy to find homes you like online and even to do some research on neighborhood comps, trying to get through the buying process without a realtor is not a good idea. A real estate agent has a great deal of experience in buying and selling homes and when you are the buyer, you need an advocate looking out for you. Your realtor not only will act as your advocate, they also can help you through the maze of inspections and escrow.
If you want to get started on your Texas Hill Country real estate search, contact Nixon Real Estate. For more than 30 years, they have been finding fabulous homes for their clients. So whether you are looking for Fredericksburg real estate, Kerrville real estate, San Antonio real estate or in another Hill Country area, they can help you through every step of the home-buying process.
You probably have read that your first step, prior to looking for homes, is to go to a lender and get pre-approved. This is a great first step. This will tell you how much money your lender will be willing to loan you and when you add this to the amount you have saved for the down payment, you get a total amount that you can spend. However, it is wise to note that you are in no way required to spend as much as you are able to get. Crunch your budget numbers and see what you are really comfortable paying each month. Be sure to figure in all of your monthly expenses as well as new home-related expenses you will incur, such as the property taxes and insurance for your home. Homeowner association dues are another expense to add in, as well.
A home is just like a person. You can't always judge them by the first appearance. Sometimes a home is outdated but in fantastic shape with a great layout and plenty of space. You must look beyond the ugly wallpaper, the orange shag carpeting, popcorn ceilings and faux wood paneling. That can all be fixed, and the seller's ugly furniture and knickknacks aren't going to be there after you buy the house, so ignore them. On the flip side, a house could look beautiful and perfectly staged, but have real problems. It might not have enough rooms for you or perhaps the roof needs to be replaced. Always look past the way a place looks to really judge whether this is the right home for you.
Once you find a house you really love, don't jump in until you really consider the location. A home on a busy street or across from a school or church might end up being too disruptive to your life. A home too far from shops, stores and restaurants also might end up being irksome. If it's a long drive to work, you might easily become sick of that long commute. If the schools aren't great, this could end up being a problem as well and even if you don't have kids, goods schools equal higher property values. Drive around the neighborhood, glance at the homes and yards of other neighbors. Visit in the early morning, in the afternoon and at night to judge the noise level.
While it is increasingly easy to find homes you like online and even to do some research on neighborhood comps, trying to get through the buying process without a realtor is not a good idea. A real estate agent has a great deal of experience in buying and selling homes and when you are the buyer, you need an advocate looking out for you. Your realtor not only will act as your advocate, they also can help you through the maze of inspections and escrow.
If you want to get started on your Texas Hill Country real estate search, contact Nixon Real Estate. For more than 30 years, they have been finding fabulous homes for their clients. So whether you are looking for Fredericksburg real estate, Kerrville real estate, San Antonio real estate or in another Hill Country area, they can help you through every step of the home-buying process.
About the Author:
Pammy McGrath likes reading about real estate blogs. If you are looking for licensed Fredericksburg real estate agents, or to find Fredericksburg homes for sale, please visit the NixonRealEstate.com site now.
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