Owning a home is something many people write at the top of their to-do list, however, homeownership is not for everyone. If you are in the market for a new home, there are many things to take into consideration first, before committing to the property.
Moving Fees
Many people who purchase a home focus on the obvious costs like the down payment, taxes and closing costs. Nevertheless, there are many other expenses connect to purchasing a home. One of these items often overlooked is the move. If you are only relocating a few blocks and don’t have many possessions, you can get away pretty cheap by renting a truck. Solicit the help of family and friends to help with the heavy lifting. If you are moving farther away (or across the country), it is best to hire professional help. Luckily there are companies like North American Van Lines that specialize in moving people from one place to another. If this is the way you want to go, expect to add a few thousand dollars to the money you need at the time of closing.
Location
In order to select the ideal area from the start, it’s most wise to research cities and towns before looking at properties. While realtors can suggest a property that suits your needs, they aren’t the ones that will live in the neighborhood. It’s best to do your homework and check for the crime rates in the area ahead of time. This way you will know it’s a safe place for your family’s relocation.
Value of the Home
Most people who are in the market to purchase a home are naive about how much a home should cost. Luckily, you will have a bank to fund the money and this helps to keep the pricing for the location and the property in check. The realtor also can advise if the home is a little expensive for the area. If the homeowner is not willing to reduce the asking price, it’s best to walk away and start your search for the next property. In other cases, you may fall in love with a home due to the layout and location but, the home itself is not in good condition. This means you will need to spend lots of money in the future to fix it to your liking and therefore should select another home.
Features
If you are buying your first home you may have an unrealistic list of the items your new place must have to fulfil your criteria. The truth is, very few people who buy a home get everything they want. This is not to say you should settle, but rather that you should lower your expectations. Let’s say the home has the layout you like and it’s in a nice area. The condition is good. However, you wanted ampler closets or a finished basement. This is something you can work with. It’s most efficient to make a comprehensive list of the things you must have like three bedrooms or a fenced backyard and work off of this list.
Length of Time the Property is on the Market
A home doesn’t usually stay on the market for more than a month in a seller’s market. Even in a sluggish recovery market few homes sit unsold for more than a few months. Generally, if a home sits for a long period of time, there’s a problem. It could be the condition, the asking price or something more involved like a second owner who lives out of the country or issues with the property perimeters. If you find a home and see it has stayed on the market for quite a while, find out why before going to see the property.
Much thought and planning need to go into the decision to purchase a home. The location, the price, the condition, the features and the moving expenses are all factors to be considered.When you search for your new home take into consideration all the expenses that come with it. Make sure to stay within the price range of what you can afford now, not in the future.