Looking to buy a home or condo? Here are five essential tips for making the process as smooth as possible.
Get your finances in order.
Start by getting a full picture of your credit. Obtain copies of your credit report. Make sure the facts are correct, and fix any problems you find. Next, find a suitable lender and get pre-approved for a loan. This will put you in a better position to make a serious offer when you do find the right house.
Find a house you can afford.
As with engagement rings, there’s a general rule of thumb when it comes to buying a home: two-and-a-half times your annual salary. There are also a number of tools and calculators online that can help you understand how your income, debt, and expenses affect what you can afford. Don’t forget, too, that there are lots of considerations beyond the sticker price, including property taxes, energy costs, etc.
Hire a professional.
While the Internet gives buyers unprecedented access to home listings and resources, many aspects of the buying process require a level of expertise you can’t pick up from surfing the web. That’s why you’re better off using a professional agent than going it alone. Don't use the real estate agent who has the property listed; hire an agent to represent you, one who will have your interests at heart and can help you with strategies during the bidding process.
Do your homework.
Before writing an offer your agent will do research and provide you with information on the state of the market at large. Is it more favorable for sellers or buyers? Next, you will look at sales trends of similar homes in the area or neighborhood. Look at prices for the last few months both for sales and those that are competing with the home you are interested in. Come up with an offer that’s competitive, but also realistic. Otherwise, you may end up ticking off the owners.
Think long term.
Obviously, you shouldn’t buy unless you’re sure you’ll be staying put for at least a few years. Beyond that, you should buy in a neighborhood with good schools. Whether you have children or not, this will have an impact on your new home’s resale value down the line. When it comes to the property itself, you should hire your own home inspector, who can point out potential problems that could require costly repairs in the future.