Buying a house can be quite a challenging task for the first time. There are lots of requirements, steps, and tasks that you need to follow and meet. In most cases, you are likely to be anxious about making an expensive mistake that will haunt you for the rest of your life.
Fortunately, real estate agencies give special advantages to new home buyers to encourage more entrants into the real estate market. Below is a step-by-step guide for buying a house for the first time.
Research extensively
If you don’t want to commit an expensive mistake, you must start researching extensively early. You can use magazines, websites, and newspapers with great real estate listings. Depending on your interests and preferences, list the homes you are interested in and observe how their value fluctuates on the market.
- How are the existing buyers satisfied with the homes?
- What is the security of the surrounding?
- Is the home located near social amenities? What is their condition during rainy seasons?
Researching the property management companies near the area can also help a lot.
Do they deliver a steady and reliable return on investment? You are assured of smooth and hassle-free property management services if they do.
Look for the best property management companies in Boulder where you can get experts to manage your property. Evernest, Renters Warehouse and SunnySide property management are some of the leading names in this regard.
Determine how much you can afford
It’s recommended that you go for an affordable house and that you can pay without struggling too much. This determination is based on your financial situation. To determine the house you can afford, you must audit your finances seriously.
The audit results will tell you the house you should go for per your list. If you need particular features, you will have to prepare more instead of buying a house you aren’t fully satisfied with. You also need to determine how much mortgage you qualify for. Sometimes you may think you deserve a certain amount, but the lenders offer a relatively small amount.
Remember, the focus should be on getting a house that will best suit your needs without struggling with making the necessary payments. Each option on your list has pros and cons depending on your house ownership goals.
Determine specific features that you need
After you have singled out the number of options you can afford, you need to check the specific features you would like your dream house to have. In this step, you have to be flexible because you have to make a choice that meets your requirements or that is as close as possible.
These may be basic desires, size, and surroundings. How are the house fencing and parking space?
If you are buying a house to rent, you must ensure adequate parking space for your tenants.
On the other hand, ensure that the parking space available can serve you well. Smaller details like the appliances fitted in the kitchen and bathroom can also have a huge impact. They help you understand the price at which you are buying the house.
Tour the house options and make an offer
Even though the house’s features may be indicated on the real estate agency website, there is a need to tour the house options. If the list is long, you need to pay detailed attention as it can be challenging to remember everything. If possible, take a picture or video of the houses that meet your interests and preferences.
When touring the houses, make sure that you test the plumbing and the electrical system and open the doors and windows to see if they are working properly. Removing the house options you are not satisfied with is advisable. By now, you should be left with only a few options.
Check how the house is maintained and the parking spaces. Is real estate truly what it claims to be? If you find anything that seems to contradict, then you can remove that option. Take as much time as you wish to ensure you get a great house.
Head to closing
After touring the house, sit down and select the best house that meets your tastes and preferences. Then proceed to get a house appraisal. If you get pre-approved for a loan, the lender will conduct the house appraisal to know more about the house. Most lenders are focused on whether buying a house is a good investment.
This is just like a house inspection but by the lender. The closing part, also known as the settlement, involves various parties who are part of the real estate transaction. This could be the buyer, mortgage representative, and seller. On the closing day, you finally get the keys to the new house and pay all the parties involved.
