So you want to buy a house? Chances are you are not sure where to start, and you may even be very overwhelmed by the possibilities and choices. This article will start to put your mind at rest and will help you wade through all the information out there by giving you some good, solid advice on home buying.
When starting the search for a new home, research the area to find the neighborhoods that you would be happy in. Make sure to check out crime statistics, school quality, and the areas walking score. If you have an agent, let them know the type of area that you are looking for and they can point you in the right direction.
When you enter the arena of real estate purchasing, be wary of mortgages with balloon payments. Balloon payments are surprisingly large payments the mortgage owner is required to make at the end of the loan term. They are ethically doubtful, and they usually indicate that the loan provider is unscrupulous. When you identify balloon payments, stay away!
When you are buying a home you should always try to make sure that there hasn’t been any work done that didn’t have a permit. Things like a extra room or a kitchen update need a permit, and if there wasn’t one you may be the party that has to bring it up to code if it isn’t.
When entering into any real estate deal, it is always best to hire a lawyer. The contracts and requirements of buying real estate can be overwhelming. A real estate lawyer can be the deciding factor in making sure you get not only the best deal, but also the protection you need.
If possible, bring an experienced contractor with you when you view a property. They can help you estimate costs, and point out things which should be fixed by the previous owner prior to purchase. They can often spot potential problems that are easily missed by the untrained eye and save you money in the long run.
When purchasing a house that you intend to rent out, be sure to consider the safety of the home. While safety is important in your personal dwelling, you are unlikely to sue yourself in the event of an accident. Especially if you are renting to an older adult, be careful of pitfalls such as shallow staircases, driveways or sidewalks prone to icing, and other potential dangers.
Before buying your home, know the difference between being pre-qualified for a loan and being pre-approved. A pre-qualification is a preliminary look at your financial situation and doesn’t carry much negotiating weight. A pre-approval means your finances including income, credit and debts, have been checked and that you’ll be likely to get the loan you need in order to complete a purchase.
One important tip when it comes to real estate is to have experts confirm the value of a home you are looking to purchase. This is important because while you may have done plenty of research on your own, you may not know everything that an expert would. It cannot hurt to make friends in the business and call upon them for assistance. Show them that you are making an effort on your own and only want their expert opinion in order to get the best response.
When buying real estate directly from an owner, you must have an appraisal done to prevent paying more than the house is worth. Since the owner has a vested interest in getting as much money for his house and doesn’t have the market knowledge to know how to price it properly the odds are that it is over-priced.
After you sign a contract purchasing a home, don’t lose touch with your realtor or lender. Things don’t always go as smoothly as they’ve been planned. Keeping in touch ensures that you will be informed right away if something goes wrong with your financing or your homeowner’s insurance policy.
Now that you have some direction regarding what you should be thinking about, doing, and avoiding when buying your new home, you can start the process with your head on straight and a clear goal in mind. Now that you have the necessary knowledge, you are ready to start the house-buying process.