Buying a home can strike fear into your heart, and that is especially true if you haven’t bought real estate before. The real estate industry, however, is a lucrative one for many people. This article has some information to help you get started buying real estate whether you are a first-time buyer, or a veteran.
If you’re considering buying a house in a new neighborhood, don’t just take the real estate agent’s description of the area. Find out about crime levels from the local police department, pick up the local newspaper and visit the local grocery store. You can find out a lot about the local area by doing these three things.
Most people know they need to worry about carbon monoxide in their house. But did you know you should also test for radon? If you are buying a house, you should pay for a radon inspection. If the level is above 4, the seller should put in a radon mitigation system. As the buyer, you can require this mitigation as a condition of purchasing the house. Radon exposure can cause lung cancer, so it’s definitely worth getting under control before you buy a house.
Lot of home buyers are discouraged from buying a property because they don’t like its decor, the furniture or the wall color representing the seller’s taste. Buyers should disregard these factors as they are easy to change. They can always repaint the wall, install new carpet and add their own furniture. They should consider features hard to or impossible to change, such as property size, floor plan or location.
If you’re looking to get into the market of flipping properties, a handy man course can help. Having a few basic skills, such as installing tile or replacing fixtures, can save you big money in contractor fees. Most home improvement stores offer classes for free and the materials you will need, are readily available there, as well.
Cash challenged buyers can also be on the market to buy a property. The way to go is a lease-to-buy or rent-to-buy agreement. In this case the rent payment, or a part of it, goes towards the down payment of the property. Due to higher monthly rent payments, this is an option only to the serious home buyer.
When buying your first real estate property, you should be aware that there are many programs that are designed to help you as a first time buyer. Check with your real estate agent to see what state or federal programs that you might qualify for. Some programs help with the down payment, while other programs reduce your interest rate, to help make it more affordable.
If you plan on relocating your family to a new area and have children under the age of 18, perform a search on the National Sex Offender Public Registry. Realtors are not legally obligated to notify prospective buyers of sex offender information. The information found in the database can easily determine whether a particular home or neighborhood is the right place for you.
When looking to purchase a house, and it is possible you will resell, keep in mind the number of bedrooms will determine how easy your house will sell later on down the road. Homebuyers like three and four bedroom houses the best. If you buy a house within that range, more buyers will be interested in your house when it comes time to resell.
When buying property, it is best to remember that you do not have to settle for the first price you see. You should always shop around for financing, in order to get the best deals. Also, you should verify that all of the terms of a property are written down, with a loan officer, as some lenders try to charge hidden fees.
Take your own personality into account when thinking about home styles. If you are uncomfortable living in an apartment complex because you feel like your neighbors are living in your lap, purchasing a condo is probably not the best plan for you. Decide how much elbow room you need in a neighborhood and look for homes that meet your criteria in an area you can afford.
When you are going to purchase a condo, apartment or a townhouses, make sure you inquire about Home Owner Association (HOA) fees. Although HOA fees sometimes cover lawn care, household repairs and provide you with amenities, it can also cost a fortune. Make sure you factor these fees into your budget before you purchase a place.
When looking at houses that you may purchase, be sure to check out the storage options in the house. Make sure that all of your belongings will fit into areas, such as bedroom closets. You want to avoid buying a home that will not fit your needs. Check to see if you will have a closet for your bathroom, as this can be easily overlooked.
Be smart about picking a real estate agent. It might be tempting to go with the real estate agent who estimates the highest price for your house. Often, it is actually better to go with an agent who quotes you a lower price. They are probably being far more truthful with you.
Ask your real estate agent if a specific home you are looking at has been occupied recently. This is important because many homes that have not had people living in them for months and even years are more than likely not in good shape. Many of these homes will require you to spend more money for repairs.
Always go for homes with multiple bathrooms, as opposed to multiple bedrooms, if the price is right. If you ever do need the extra room, constructing another room in or onto the home, is a lot cheaper and easier than running more plumbing and creating another bathroom. We’re talking, tens of thousands of dollars and months of labor, for a bathroom.
Buying a property is likely to be the largest purchase you make as far as value is concerned, so the decision needs to be weighed appropriately. The tips offered in this article will give you more confidence to go out there and make sound decisions, and avoid potential mistakes on your real estate journey.
