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Tips to Make Home-Buying Easier
Jul 22, 2019
Are you tired of combing through real estate listings? Let the experience of Kay Harris help your search for the perfect home come to an end.
Buying a home is an exciting milestone in life. It means giving yourself and your family a place of your own. It also means being able to make that place into what you want it to be. However, the process of buying a home can be stressful. Between choosing a real estate agent, looking through real estate listings, securing a home loan, and making the final purchase, it can take some time and more than a little patience.
It is possible to buy a home with minimal stress though. With the right approaches and preparation, you can avoid certain snags and take some weight off your shoulders. Jumping into the process head-first can lead to unforeseen problems, so it's always best to educate yourself before you begin. Here are some top tips to follow when you want to make home-buying easier.
Taking a Lending Course
Many financial institutions offer lending courses for first-time homebuyers. Some banks and trusts even require that a new homeowner take these courses before they will agree to give you a loan. This can be a positive thing though, because it can help you learn more about how your home loan works.
Being educated about how mortgages work will help you to make wise financial decisions. You won't accidentally sign onto a contract that has dangerous fine print or agree to a loan you can't afford to pay back. Making healthy financial choices will make buying a home much easier over time.
Plan Ahead
This is a simple tip that can help any new homebuyer breathe a little easier. Planning ahead at all stages of the process can help you to prepare for any surprises that might come your way. It can also assure that you have the financial footing and the knowledge you need to successfully buy a home. Viewing real estate listings early on, reading up on the market in your area, and putting together a plan before you actually buy will help take the edge off the process. Luckily, you can always rely on the help of a great realtor to steer you in the right direction.
Choose the Right Realtor
One of the most important decisions you will make through this process is choosing your realtor. There are certain things that are expected from real estate professionals that you should also look for in yours. After all, it's estimated that between 47% and 53% of people say they expect their agent to advise on investment management, provide guidance on terms, and give advice on down payments. These are all services that will help make the process easier to navigate and understand.
You also want an agent who has a strong understanding of the real estate market in your area. Every town and neighborhood is unique, especially when it comes to the pricing and sale of homes. Your agent should know the best and safest areas, what each area has to offer, and which houses are a better deal for your budget and needs. They should also have competitive real estate listings that include homes you could see yourself buying.
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Buying a home for the first time can be stressful, overwhelming, and exhausting all at the same time! There’s so much to take in as a first time home buyer, so we’ve compiled some trade secrets for you to help you out in your journey. Keep Your Money Where It Is In the months before applying for a mortgage, you’ll want to keep your money right where it is. Lending companies want to make sure you have a reliable income, so moving your money around, applying for additional credit, and buying large ticket items can be red flags. You don’t want to take any chances when it comes to your credit profile! Go With the Flow There’s no perfect time to purchase a home, so try not to anticipate the real estate market to determine when to start looking. Real estate markets fluctuate constantly, and if you wait it out for the “perfect time,” you may never find the best home for you. Stalk the Neighborhood Sure, you can change things around your new home. But you’re unable to change your neighbors! If you find a property you really like, make an effort to visit the neighborhood morning, noon, and night to see what is going on. You’ll get a better picture of if the area is a busy neighborhood, if your neighbors are constantly out and about, or if you will be living in a relatively quiet place. Don’t Forget the Hidden Costs When creating your budget, don’t just focus on your monthly mortgage payment! Buying a home and maintaining it can be incredibly costly to those who are not prepared. Make sure to budget in closing costs, inspection fees, home insurance, regular maintenance such as mowing the lawn and cleaning out gutters, and utilities. As a general rule, it is always better to stay modest when creating a budget as you most likely will need some wiggle room with these unforeseen expenses. When it comes to Houston real estate, Kay Harris is the real estate professional you can turn to. If you are looking to buy a home in the Houston area, give us a call today and we’ll get the process started.
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