These days, it may be to your advantage to buy a home. The interest rates are low, and there many good quality homes on the market. However, with all the problems these days, there are some things you need to be aware of so you not only get the home you want, but are able to pay for it, and have little or no problems soon after moving in. Here are a few really good tips to help you find the right home for you.
One of them is make sure you are financially stable enough to buy a home. Just because you have good credit, and may be able to afford a down payment, doesn't mean you will be able to pay your mortgage in the long run. Also, it is a good idea to make sure that you are not spending more in bills that you have income for. A good rule of thumb is that your bills should be a third of what your income is.
Starting the search for your home can be an exciting step in the process, but you should prioritize your "wants" and "needs". There's no sense wasting time looking at houses that don't fit your preferences or criteria. Qualifying for a certain price range is only part of narrowing down houses on the market. You should be willing to make certain sacrifices on your "wants" list to accommodate those items on your "needs" list. Include extra living space, if you plan to make additions to your family.
You may have contemplated purchasing a brand new home, but there are others that think about the affordability of an older, existing home. You need to compare unexpected repair expenses of an older home, while a brand new home may be more expensive, initially. At least you are getting newer appliances that save energy and they come with a warranty, when purchasing a newly-built house. You should face the fact of appliance replacement, when comparing an existing house on the market.
You also want to make sure to take the time to inspect the property on your own. Make a check list of important things to take a look at while looking through these homes. Go into the basement, look at the electrical panel, check if it is neat and orderly. Look at the pipes that are coming into your home, and see what kind of condition they are in.
For this reason, it's advised to make a professional house inspection, part of your offer agreement. Unless you are experienced in heating and cooling repairs, you may not know what defects to look for. You should try all major operating systems, before signing on the dotted line. Some essential items on your checklist should include the home's exterior, roof, drainage and foundation grades, besides looking for structural issues and major plumbing issues. Be sure to put these items in writing, for later recollection.
If you have found what you're looking for, the next step is the negotiations process. The first thing you need to do is find a good home inspector. The best thing to do is go online to one of those comparison list sites and choose one from there. Now just because you hire an inspector, don't rely solely on their report, and always take the time out of your busy schedule to go through the home with them. Go over any areas that you may questions about, and really listen.
These are just a few of the many tips to help you when buying a home. There are a number of other resources online. It is important to cover all your bases, because a home is an investment in the future.
One of them is make sure you are financially stable enough to buy a home. Just because you have good credit, and may be able to afford a down payment, doesn't mean you will be able to pay your mortgage in the long run. Also, it is a good idea to make sure that you are not spending more in bills that you have income for. A good rule of thumb is that your bills should be a third of what your income is.
Starting the search for your home can be an exciting step in the process, but you should prioritize your "wants" and "needs". There's no sense wasting time looking at houses that don't fit your preferences or criteria. Qualifying for a certain price range is only part of narrowing down houses on the market. You should be willing to make certain sacrifices on your "wants" list to accommodate those items on your "needs" list. Include extra living space, if you plan to make additions to your family.
You may have contemplated purchasing a brand new home, but there are others that think about the affordability of an older, existing home. You need to compare unexpected repair expenses of an older home, while a brand new home may be more expensive, initially. At least you are getting newer appliances that save energy and they come with a warranty, when purchasing a newly-built house. You should face the fact of appliance replacement, when comparing an existing house on the market.
You also want to make sure to take the time to inspect the property on your own. Make a check list of important things to take a look at while looking through these homes. Go into the basement, look at the electrical panel, check if it is neat and orderly. Look at the pipes that are coming into your home, and see what kind of condition they are in.
For this reason, it's advised to make a professional house inspection, part of your offer agreement. Unless you are experienced in heating and cooling repairs, you may not know what defects to look for. You should try all major operating systems, before signing on the dotted line. Some essential items on your checklist should include the home's exterior, roof, drainage and foundation grades, besides looking for structural issues and major plumbing issues. Be sure to put these items in writing, for later recollection.
If you have found what you're looking for, the next step is the negotiations process. The first thing you need to do is find a good home inspector. The best thing to do is go online to one of those comparison list sites and choose one from there. Now just because you hire an inspector, don't rely solely on their report, and always take the time out of your busy schedule to go through the home with them. Go over any areas that you may questions about, and really listen.
These are just a few of the many tips to help you when buying a home. There are a number of other resources online. It is important to cover all your bases, because a home is an investment in the future.
About the Author:
At Tampa2Enjoy we are specialist in Tampa real estate. If you have any questions or are looking for an honest, hard working Realtor give us a call. For details on Fawn Ridge homes for sale or Tampa luxury homes visit us at www.Tampa2Enjoy.com.