Best Home Buying Tips for First Time Buyers

Published on: 14 August 2017 Last Updated on: 19 August 2019

Having a home is the best asset that each family desires because housing is a basic need. The challenge with most people is that they make several mistakes while buying their first home. You need to be keen because this is a long-term investment. Some of the mistakes you make can cost you for the rest of your life. Here are some of the home buying tips for first-time buyers.

Financial Planning

You will rarely come across a person buying a home in cash. Most of us rely on mortgages to finance their home purchase. It means that you need to do a lot of planning before you make the final decision. First, you will be expected to make a monthly payment towards the mortgage. Look at your financial cash flows and make sure you are comfortable with the monthly installments. You don’t want to buy a house that will be repossessed along the way because of the inability to pay. Assess your future cash flows to make sure that you are on the safe side. It’s good to have an alternative source of income just in case the primary source fails.

Recommended reading: Five Efficient Uses Of Propane In Your Home

So many financial institution advance mortgages to their clients. Look for a financier whose mortgages have the best features. You need a loan that is not very expensive in the long run. Assess both the finance fee and the loan interest rate to get the best deal. Also, look at the lending policy of the borrower. Look at how they handle default because no one can see tomorrow and you need to prepare for the worst. You can also use probate estate loans. Banks offer different mortgage products and you need to do your homework well to get the best product.

Size of the House

Make sure you evaluate your housing needs before you begin shopping for one. A home is not something that you can buy at any time. It is a long-term investment that can take you even 30 years to clear the mortgage. Make sure you evaluate your future and current housing needs. For instance, a single person who is planning to get married should plan for the future needs of his family. Buy a house with the future needs of your family in mind. It is very little you can do when you discover later that your house is too small. Make sure you buy a house that will meet all your needs in the long run.

Location of the House

Location is an important element when buying a house for the first time. First, look at the accessibility of the house. Infrastructure is very important when buying a home. Make sure you are comfortable with the distance of the house from the road. You should be able to access the house with a lot of ease. The house should also be close to social amenities such as schools, hospitals, shopping malls, restaurants, and gyms just to name a few. It can be hard to get an ideal location but you can try to get the best from what the market has to offer. The last thing to look at is the neighborhood. This element is mainly determined by your age and lifestyle. You can decide to go to a neighborhood that has old people or the young generation.

Using Property Agents

Home buying companies have a long list of houses for sale in the region. Using them can save you a lot of effort. They can give you several options and you will be able to choose the best. You will also get an opportunity to compare the prices of different homes for you to get the best value for your money. You can cushion yourself against exploitation from greedy sellers by using property agents. You will pay property agents some fee but it is cost-effective in the long run. It’s always a good option to use the help of North Coast Financial advisers.

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The ROI Of Proactive Pest Control For Property Management

As a property manager, proactive measures across all operational areas often translate to cost savings and increased value over time. Pest control, while occasionally sidelined in strategic planning, stands out as a domain. There a proactive approach can yield significant returns on investment (ROI). To understand the true value, one must delve into the multifaceted benefits and cost savings linked with proactive pest management. Understanding The True Cost Of Pests Before delving into the benefits of a proactive approach, it's essential to comprehend the full spectrum of costs associated with pest infestations. Beyond the immediate expense of extermination and potential structural repairs, there are indirect costs. They impact a property's bottom line. Operational Disruptions Pest infestations can cause significant disruptions to regular property operations. Whether it's the temporary closure of facilities for treatment or the time spent addressing tenant concerns, these disruptions translate to lost hours and increased operational costs. Legal Liabilities Failing to address pest problems can lead to potential legal ramifications. Tenants have a right to a safe and habitable living environment. If pest infestations infringe upon these rights, property managers might find themselves facing legal claims, further elevating costs. The Tangible Benefits Of Proactivity There are some benefits that are tangible in nature. Lets try to understand them all here. Minimised Structural Damage Pests like termites and rodents can cause considerable structural harm. Proactive pest control helps in early detection, potentially saving thousands in repair costs. Preserved Property Value Properties with a history of significant pest problems can see depreciation in their market value. Regular preventive measures ensure that the asset's value remains uncompromised. Reduced Turnover And Vacancies Tenants prefer properties that are well-maintained and free from pest issues. A proactive stance can lead to higher tenant retention rates and fewer vacancies, ensuring steady revenue streams. Intangible Returns: Beyond The Balance Sheet Other than the tangible ones there are also the intangible returns that the occupants are likely to receive here. . Enhanced Reputation In the age of digital reviews, a single pest-related complaint can severely dent a property's reputation. Proactive pest control aids in avoiding such negative publicity, bolstering the property's image in the market. Tenant Satisfaction And Loyalty The well-being and comfort of occupants directly correlate with their loyalty. By ensuring a pest-free environment, property managers foster trust and satisfaction among tenants. Proactive Measures: A Strategic Investment The efficacy of pest management depends quite an extent on the proactive measures. We discuss a few of them here. Routine Inspections Regularly scheduled inspections are pivotal in proactive pest control. By meticulously examining properties at set intervals, professionals can detect subtle signs of infestations or conditions conducive to pests. This proactive approach can identify potential problem areas, ensuring timely interventions before small issues escalate into significant challenges. Moreover, these inspections provide a documented history of pest activity, enabling property managers to tailor future preventive strategies based on past occurrences. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) IPM is not just a method but a philosophy in pest control. It is a comprehensive approach that combines preventive measures with eco-friendly treatment options, emphasising the importance of understanding the life cycle of pests and their interaction with the environment. By pin-pointing on long-term mitigation rather than immediate fixes, IPM offers sustainable and cost-effective pest control. This strategy minimises the use of chemicals, reduces the risk of pesticide resistance in pests, and ensures a safer environment for property occupants. Educating Tenants A well-informed tenant is an asset in pest prevention. Informing tenants about best practices, from proper waste management to identifying early signs of infestations, can be invaluable. An educated tenant base often acts as a first line of defence against pests, reporting issues before they magnify. Furthermore, by fostering open communication channels, property managers can build trust with tenants, ensuring collaborative efforts in maintaining a pest-free environment. Utilising Pheromone Traps And Monitoring Stations Pheromone traps, which use synthetic versions of insect hormones to attract and trap pests, can be a crucial part of early detection. By strategically placing these traps around a property, managers can monitor pest activity levels and identify potential issues before they become significant problems. Monitoring stations for pests like termites can provide early warnings, allowing for timely interventions and reducing the need for extensive treatments later. Collaborative Approaches And Community Involvement Property managers need not tackle the pest challenge alone. Engaging the larger community can amplify the benefits of proactive control. Community Education Sessions Organising sessions where experts offer insights about local pest challenges and preventive measures can be invaluable. This not only educates tenants but also fosters a sense of community involvement. Collaborative Buying Pooling resources with neighbouring properties for preventive pest control measures can lead to cost savings for all involved, enhancing ROI for each property. Assessing ROI: The Bigger Picture Quantifying the ROI of proactive pest control isn't merely about direct cost savings. One must consider the combined value of preserved property integrity, sustained tenant satisfaction, and the avoided costs associated with potential infestations. When these elements are accounted for, the ROI of preventive pest management becomes overwhelmingly positive. The Future: Leveraging Technology With advancements in technology, property managers now have tools that can predict potential infestation risks based on various factors, including geography, weather patterns, and property history. Investing in such predictive technologies can further enhance the ROI by ensuring timely interventions, often before a problem manifests visibly. Concluding Thoughts The realm of property management is rife with challenges, and pests, albeit small, can lead to monumental problems. However, with a proactive approach to pest control, managers can not only mitigate risks but also realise substantial returns on their investments. By reframing pest control from an occasional necessity to a strategic investment, properties can enjoy both tangible and intangible benefits. In the end, the ROI of proactive pest control underscores its indispensability in the modern property management toolkit. Read Also: 7 Tips To Purchase A Prime Real Estate Property

5 Unexpected Expenses of First-Time Renters

Whether you’re leaving school or your parents’ home, moving into your first place can be exciting. But as first-time renters, you’ll also have to navigate the world of leases, landlords, and independent living expenses. To help you prepare for your big move, let’s look at a handful of sometimes unexpected expenses new renters are faced with. 5 Unexpected Expenses of First-Time Renters: 1. Furniture: You might have a few pieces of furniture you can take to your new apartments, such as your old bed from your parents’ place or smaller items and décor you had in your dorm room. But your first apartment will likely be the biggest space you’ve had to furnish so far. At a bare minimum, you’ll want to budget for a bed, a couch, and a simple dining set. But you also may need a TV stand, a dresser, a desk, and more seating if you plan to entertain frequently. And those are just the big items. Smaller tables, chairs, and decorative items would still have to be worked into your budget, though you don’t need them all upfront. 2. Pet Deposit or Fee: If you plan to have a pet in your new rental, know that many landlords will charge you extra. That could mean a pet deposit, which can range from a small fee to a full month’s extra rent. They could charge you “pet rent”—a monthly add-on fee to your rent. Some landlords charge both. These fees cover potential damage from pets, like odor or scratched floors, when you move out. They vary widely though, so be sure to compare your options before getting your heart set on a place. 3. Security Deposits: When you move into a new apartment, you don’t simply start paying the regular rent. You’ll almost always be required to pay a security deposit before you can move in. The amount can vary from one landlord to the next, but you can generally expect to pay at least a month’s rent as your security deposit. 4. Renter’s Insurance: If you move into a new apartment and disaster strikes—like a fire that causes you to lose most of your possessions—you might assume your landlord’s insurance will cover what you lost. But that isn’t the case. Your landlord’s insurance will cover the structure itself, but you’re responsible for insuring your belongings. That means taking on another expense you might not have considered: renter’s insurance. 6. Utilities: If you’re used to living under someone else’s roof or at college, you might not be used to paying for all your own utilities. These expenses can also come as a surprise. Of course, there’s the usual electric bill, internet, and cell phone service. But you’ll also need to cover cable (or a streaming service like PlayStation Vue or Philo for cord-cutters) and possibly water, sewage, and trash collection fees as well. Knowing your future costs upfront can help you better prepare when searching for your first apartment. Keep these expenses in mind when setting your budget, both monthly as well as for the move itself. Read Also: Apartment Hunting Like A Pro 7 Expert Hacks For Downsizing To A Smaller Apartment Buying A House Vs Renting An Apartment: Which Is More Affordable?

Cost of living in Seattle

Seattle is considered to be one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. It has been estimated that the population will grow with more than 200000 people over the next 20 years. This has strongly been attributed to the tech scene as well as its vibrant culture. This collectively causes the city to become expensive. Studies by the Council on Economic and Community Relations have pointed out that Seattle is 24% more expensive than any normal city in the United States. This means that someone earning an annual salary of $40000 will have to earn $49600 to maintain the standard way of living in Seattle. These costs have been attributed to factors such as home prices, cost of transport and other essential costs. Housing in Seattle: The prices of homes in Seattle have shown to be one of the most expensive in the United States and do not seem to be coming down anytime soon. This may seem like good news to citizens who already own houses in Seattle, but it is a nightmare to those who don't own one and want to own one. Prices of houses according to a 2010 survey indicate the price ranges between $216000 and $440000 depending on the number of bedrooms. It has also been indicated that if these prices keep growing at the rate of 20%, the prices will surpass the $1 million mark in the next 25 years. Read more: Buying Or Selling A Home In Seattle? Average rent in Seattle: Renting has been discovered to be more favorable compared to buying. However, it is not a cheap venture. The average rent in Seattle has been estimated to be $2109 which is roughly 80% higher than the national average. Some neighborhoods in Seattle have shown to be more expensive than the others. For instance, a neighborhood like South Lake Union, a one-bedroom is rented at $1900 per month. Cost of food: Seattle is known for its exquisite seafood which is sold at the Pike Place Market. However, if you earn little income and survive on a tight budget, then you may not be able to enjoy the cuisines. It has been estimated that the average cost of dining in a typical Seattle restaurant will cost you $30 which is 30% higher than the average or typical price range countrywide. This goes for groceries too where it has been estimated the cost of acquiring groceries in Seattle is 11% more than the average cost of the same products. Transportation cost: Most people who live in Seattle rely on road transport to facilitate their movements. It comprises of car owners, public bus transport and even cyclists. The price range of a single bus ticket ranges between $2.50-$3.25. This is more convenient because it has been proven that Seattle traffic is one of the worst in the country. Its fuel prices are also said to be 10% more than the national average price. Other costs: According to digitalexits.com internet service providers offer options to ensure proper communication which is essential nowadays. This costs can rise to $75 per month which contribute to the monthly costs you may incur while living in Seattle. Read Also: What Are The Costs Of Our Aging Infrastructure? 5 Awesome Advantages Of Buying A Smaller House

Best Home Buying Tips for First Time Buyers

Financial Planning

Size of the House

Location of the House

Using Property Agents

Buying or Selling a Home in Seattle?

Finding The Right Moving Company

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

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Related

The ROI Of Proactive Pest Control For Property Management

5 Unexpected Expenses of First-Time Renters

Cost of living in Seattle

Best Home Buying Tips for First Time Buyers

Financial Planning

Size of the House

Location of the House

Using Property Agents

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Buying or Selling a Home in Seattle?

Finding The Right Moving Company

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Follow Us

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