The way the real estate market works might seem more simple than it sounds. You find a house you like, you put in an offer, and you move in if accepted. Nevertheless, from finding financing to locating the right inspector, there’s so much more that goes into it. Here are some of the things you may not have known about purchasing real estate.
When thinking about buying a house, consider the neighborhood. While you may believe that the house is ideal for you, think about important things, such as the proximity to what your family needs: the local school, grocery store, transportation, etc. Also, take time to meet the neighbors before you buy your property. The last thing you want is to move in next to someone that you really don’t get along with.
Purchasing a home in a manufactured home park can seem like a money saving idea. Keep in mind that these parks often times carry large fees for new owners, as well as fees if you ever want to remove the home from the park. Read any and all materials on or about the park before you agree to a purchase.
To get the best value for your money, it is best to consider what other people may value in the surroundings that you may not need. For example, a good school district is not a necessity if you do not plan to have children or will move away before starting a family.
If you do not plan to live in an area for very long, it is a better idea to rent than to purchase. You do not incur the cost of trying to sell the property when you need to move, and you do not sink money into improvements that you don’t actually benefit from.
To help you buy or sell real estate you have to find an agent that you feel comfortable working with. You should try to interview a few to narrow down who makes you feel most at ease. Then check their references and what past clients have to say about working with them.
Your debt-to-income ratio, pattern of savings, job stability are all going to play a big role in your lender’s decision as to whether to provide you with the loan that you need for your new home. Add up all of your monthly bills and costs and subtract it from the income that you have and that will tell you how much you have to left to pay for your new home.
If a home you are considering purchasing has had an addition, check to make sure that it meets all code requirements and that the proper permits were obtained, in order to build it. This could come up during the lending process and make it nearly impossible, or difficult to complete your financing.
When you are looking for a new home, make sure that the home has quite a bit of storage space. This would include closets in the bedrooms and other storage areas for other things. It is always nice to have plenty of room for storage because then it helps you keep your home looking nice and organized instead of looking cluttered.
Searching for real estate can be overwhelming, luckily there are many sources available. Many real estate companies list available properties on their websites, which you can browse through at your leisure. If you are just curious and do not want to commit to a real estate agent, Craigslist and the local newspaper, are also great places to start.
Location location location. You are far better off buying the ugliest house on the best street in the nicest neighborhood than you are buying a perfect home with upgrades and amenities on an ugly street in a questionable neighborhood. Property values are determined much more by a homes surroundings than they are by their cosmetics.
Make sure you recoup your investment costs. If you are planning on buying a home, make sure you find somewhere that you intend to live for at least 3 to 5 years. This way you will build up equity in the home and recoup any initial investment costs. Also, be sure to stay within your budget.
If it is possible for you to wait, try not to purchase a home during a seller’s market. You could end up with a home that is not worth what you paid for it. Instead, wait until it is a buyer’s market so you can get a home for what it’s really worth.
Make sure you check out the qualities of the land that your house is built on. You do not want to be stuck with a home that is going to be prone to flooding or wildfires. You can ask your real estate agent if anything is known about the house’s land and risk of damages.
Before you put in an offer on a home, go to city hall to check out the property. Their records can tell you if there are any liens or other restrictions on the residence. If you are not sure how to go about this process, ask your realtor to assist you in determining what you should look for.
If you need to find a home to purchase in a short period of time, do not go with a short sale. Although the name may indicate that the sale of the house is quick, this is not the case. Most short sales take double the time of a normal sale.
Always have a trusted friend or knowledgeable associate accompany you when looking at homes, even if you are shopping exclusively for yourself. This is great, because there is a chance they notice problems you haven’t. Try to get them to ask some things from the realtor.
Things like these always seem so obvious in hindsight, yet you would be shocked at just how many homeowners are neglecting to use tips like these when purchasing homes and other types of properties out there. Don’t become one of the many real estate losers out there. Use the tips above to come out ahead on any deal.
