From all accounts, buying a home is a daunting and nerve-racking exercise. However, with a little foresight and planning, it can actually become an enjoyable one.
So do you know how to buy a home? If you don’t, you certainly will by the time you come to the end of this article. Read on.
First up, despite what everyone says, an estate agent does help. That doesn’t mean you walk into the nearest estate agents office and entrust him with your life’s savings, but there are numerous credible and authentic estate agents who can offer invaluable help when it comes to selecting a home that best suits your needs.
However, whatever you do, don’t go through the same estate agent as the seller of your dream home! Queries among friends and relatives are sure to throw up a few names of trustworthy agents that you can also hire.
Most people will require a loan to buy a home. However, it will be a lot easier for you if you know exactly what your repayment terms are and what kind of loan you qualify for, so meet a mortgage consultant and clarify these issues.
Also, the smart thing to do is to consider the home you will buy in terms of its prospective resale value. That is not the same as saying that you should immediately put the house that you buy on the market, but should the need arise to sell, you will have huge problems selling a home that is located in a noisy, cluttered neighborhood.
This is why you should never take a shortcut by not having the house in question inspected thoroughly by a home inspector. For all you know, you’ll find loads of things that need renovating or replacing, like cleverly disguised but nevertheless cracked ceilings, and worn-out pipes or wiring. Quite apart from the aesthetics angle, such faults represent serious safety and health issues that you cannot ignore.
Even before the home inspector begins his job, you ought to have a clear idea of what you are looking for in your new home.
Check to see whether the home you want to buy has these features. For a more comprehensive list, make your partner prepare one too, so, between the two of you, you know exactly what you want.
This is a very important point that most homebuyers tend to miss. Before you buy a home, you should go over a blank copy of the local real estate contract and review it before you sign it.
That way, you know what it is you are supposed to be signing, and you will have a fair idea of the issues that the contract covers and you can get your legal representative to review it for you if required.
Once you are close to sealing the deal to buy a home, begin planning for your move. This includes clearing your old home of unnecessary and disposable items, registering your children in their new local school if necessary, ensuring your possessions in case of damage during the move, and obtaining homeowners and automobile insurance in your new locality.
We did say we would tell you how to buy a home, and that is exactly what we have done. Any questions?
