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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DC Metro Area Real Estate Update

Real estate in the nation's capital is enjoying a banner year, according to all indications, and expectations are that the good times will continue -- at least for sellers. It's not only the city but the entire metropolitan area, including sought-after Maryland and Virginia communities, that are currently experiencing fast sales and rising prices. Combine that with near record-low inventories, and it is a classic seller's market. The picture is not quite as rosy for buyers, however. Sales are brisk, averaging well over 8,000 homes closed during the last several 30-day periods. Nearly 9,000 homes were sold during June, and week over week sales increased 3.5 percent, according to the July 8 Homesnap report. Close-in Fairfax County, in Virginia, is a consistently high performer, even beating its own week-over-week record on a regular basis. In June, there was some concern that the market was showing signs of weakening after a strong start to 2017. And, to be fair, sales numbers were down slightly for a week in June, but have since rebounded. Inventory is down to a two-month supply, and median sales price for the area continued a 12-week upward trend. Overall Figures Reflect Strength While market conditions vary by specific locale and by housing type, the median list price for all homes currently on the market is $450,000, up from $439,000 one year ago, but lower by 2% than one month ago. The median price has trended upward, though, since January 2017, which marked the low point since July 2016. Among active listings, average time on market is 131 days, and there are nearly as many new listings as there are price reductions. New listings are lower than previously by nearly 10 percent, and the number of reduced price listings is down 2.7%. The median list price of detached homes is $545,000, with average days on the market only at 96. Townhome and condo sales and prices are equally strong: $390,000 and 58 DOM; and $320,000 with a DOM of 63, respectively. The Investment Picture In the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, as in many other parts of the country, it is the Millennial generation and Baby Boomers who are the driving forces in the real estate market. Although the reasons are quite different, the two age groups exhibit many of the same preferences. They tend to prefer locations near the urban core, although close-in suburban communities are finding new favor with young working singles as well as families. Empty nesters and soon-to-be-retired couples are, in many cases, downsizing by trading their suburban homes for an in-town apartment, condos, and townhomes in order to be near cultural amenities, shopping, restaurants, and nightlife, as well as to maintain former business ties. Spending on remodeling and improvements to sell is forecast to have a major impact on the economy during the second half of the year. When the available housing supply dwindles, a high percentage of buyers, young and old alike, decide to remodel rather than wait for the "perfect" home or take a chance of being priced out of the market. Based on a report from Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies, senior homeowners, those aged 65 or older, will be responsible for one-third of total remodel dollars spent in the nation by the year 2025. In addition, total expenditures by all age groups are expected to rise by at least $48 billion over 2015 spending. The lesson to be learned? In a tight housing market, if you can't easily find the perfect home, simply remodel what you find to be acceptable. If current trends continue in the DC metropolitan area, home improvement may become the new normal. Read More : Top Expert Tips For A Stunning Condo Interior! We Buy Houses: Don’t Build Without Permits

3 Ways To Simplify The Process Of Relocating

Moving out day is not too far away, and there is much cause for excitement. After all, relocating to a new house and environment is starting fresh, and you can’t wait to create the perfect home for yourself and your family. You may have already started figuring out how to get organized and start packing up as early as you can to relax when the movers arrive and focus on unpacking as soon as you reach your destination. And if you are starting to feel overwhelmed with the task ahead, you can always count on the expert packing services of companies like Darvills Of Leeds to help you get your belongings packed and ready to go. Although relocating can seem complicated because of the many details to iron out, there are some ways to simplify the process. Read on to find out what they are. Here Are 3 Ways To Simplify The Process Of Relocating: 1. Dispose of, or donate what you no longer need Although you want to take all of your belongings to your new place with you, you might want to consider ridding yourself of things that could clutter your new house. Since you are starting fresh, you want to keep things organized and tidy and make your home as pleasant and comfortable as possible. This means disposing of or donating items that you no longer need. That way, you have fewer items to unpack and more storage space for those you use. Take time to sort through your things and determine what you should pack and what you can do without. Related Resource: 7 Helpful Tips During an Emergency Moving Process 2. Make a checklist of things to do A checklist serves as a reminder of what needs to be done before relocating. Start by choosing a professional home removal service company by checking this website for more information. Your checklist also ensures that you keep track of your possessions and important documents. Then, as you complete each task, you can tick them off the list until you have accomplished everything. Then, when the movers arrive, you are ready to load your stuff and need not worry about missing any detail or accidentally leaving something behind. Related Resource: Things to Consider Before Relocating the Outdoor AC Unit 3. Have an overnight bag ready for each family member You may be excited to get your unpacking done as soon as possible, but expecting to do it the day you arrive is nearly impossible. You will surely be exhausted from the move and need to rest and recharge for the next few days of settling in. Thus, each family member should have an overnight bag complete with essentials to tide them over until the boxes have been unpacked and placed in each room. Include clothes, toiletries, meds, phone chargers, and other indispensable items. If boxes have been labeled, it takes less time and makes it easier to unpack and organize. Relocating is something to look forward to as you have the chance to redo the place and make it feel like home. Avoid rushing the process by getting your plans on the way as soon as possible. Be systematic and organized, and you will find that relocating does not have to be complicated and stressful. Additional Resource: How does Junk Removal Work?The Five Most Important Things to Know Before MovingFurniture Removal Are an Uphill Task for the Home OwnerWhat to Expect from the Packages of Equipment Rental Companies?

Finding the Perfect Fit: A Landlord’s Guide to Selecting Suitable Tenant

Even if your rental property isn’t the lifeblood of your income, it’s likely a big part of it. With that in mind, you need tenants who will take care of it, pay their rent on time, and report maintenance needs in a timely manner. But how can you be considerably certain that they meet these criteria? In this article, we will provide a short guide for choosing the best tenants. Whether you’re a first-time landlord and just purchased your first apartment complex or you’ve been at this for a while, there are likely some aspects you haven’t thought of. But first, Whats a tenant? A tenant is a person or an entity who temporarily inhabits another person’s (known as the landlord) property in exchange for an agreed-upon sum of money (rent). There are different types of tenants, such as: Residential Tenants: Individuals or families renting a home or apartment for living purposes. Commercial Tenants: Businesses that lease office space, retail stores, or other commercial properties. Industrial Tenants: Companies that rent warehouses, factories, or other industrial spaces. Here are some other key points you should know about tenants. Rental Agreement Tenants typically enter into a rental agreement or lease with the landlord. The terms of use of the tenancy, including the duration of stay or possession, rent amount, and main responsibilities of both parties, are mentioned in this piece of document. Security Deposit Tenants often pay a security deposit at the start of the tenancy. The landlord keeps this deposit and uses it to pay for any damages to the rental or unpaid rent when the tenant moves out. Lease Duration Tenancies can be short-term (month-to-month) or long-term (typically one year or more). The lease duration is specified in the rental agreement. Renewal and Termination At the end of the lease term, the tenant and landlord can agree to renew the lease, or the tenant can choose to move out. Proper notice, as specified in the lease, is usually required for termination. Eviction If a tenant fails to comply with the lease terms, such as not paying rent or damaging the property, the landlord may initiate eviction proceedings. However, this process must follow legal procedures to protect the tenant’s rights. How To Choose A Tenant For Your Rental? Now that you know who is a tenant, let us take a look at some of some of the aspects you need to keep in mind while choosing a suitable tenant for your rental: A Major Rule Per The Fair Housing Act, you have to remember that when it comes to purchasing, selling, renting, or financing a home, it’s illegal to discriminate based on: Nationality Race Skin color Sex Religion However, you’re not prohibited from basing your decision on the results of a criminal background check. The Listing The first thing to remember is that a great rental listing will generally pique the interest of higher-quality applicants and garner more interest overall. To make a quality listing, everyone knows you must have a title that includes the price and the number of bedrooms/bathrooms. But you need to make it stand out with something a little more catchy by highlighting a great feature of the property. Try something along the lines of: 3 bedroom/1.5 bath home with a large backyard with brand new sod, close to schools and parks In your description, you should use positive descriptors (spacious, cozy, beautiful) to highlight the best features (en suites, fireplace, swimming pool), give details about the area (near downtown, amenities), details about the rental (pets are/aren’t allowed, deposit required, no-smoking) and how potential renters should get in touch with you. Criteria If you want to lessen the chances of serving an eviction notice for non-payment, property damage, or other major issues, you need to set the right criteria from the start. Two of the strongest aspects you should consider are credit score and rental history. While you don’t want to come across as a dreadful landlord, being strict and applying your criteria fairly will help ensure that your new tenant meets the standard you desire. A good place to start is somewhere along the lines of requiring at least a 650 credit score, not having any prior evictions, bankruptcies, or a felony record, and making at least 3x the rent. Whether you have listed your rental on Zillow, Craigslist, or other listing services, you not only need to be strict in your criteria, but you also need to prescreen them before you even set a face-to-face interview date. You should also prepare pre-screening questionnaires to efficiently determine which leads are worthwhile and which should be put in the rejected folder. However, when making your criteria list, be sure to keep the Fair Housing Act and local tenant rights laws in mind. Final Checks Of course, the next logical step is the interviews of potential renters, but that doesn’t mean you will make the first applicant you interview sign a lease on the spot. Take the time to check references from previous landlords, as they can often give you insight that your tenant screening report couldn’t give you. For example, they may have had a lot of neighbor complaints, or they were constantly complaining about minor issues. Another thing you should definitely do is a quick Google search of their name. Sometimes, you can find out more this way than with a tenant report. For example, on their application, they claim they’ve worked for sixteen years as an electrician, but the career history on their LinkedIn profile doesn’t match. Don’t be afraid to do a little sleuthing! Best Practices To Follow While Interviewing Potential Renters Conducting face-to-face and thorough interviews and checking references are crucial steps and will help you choose the best tenants for your rental. Here are some tips you can follow to ensure that the interview process goes smoothly. Verify Identity: Ask for a government-issued ID to confirm the applicant’s identity. This helps prevent fraud and ensures you are dealing with the correct person. Discuss Financial Stability: Inquire about the applicant’s income, employment status, and any other sources of income. A general rule is that the rent should not exceed 30% of their monthly income. Understand Rental History: Ask about their previous rental experiences, including how long they stayed at each place and their reasons for leaving. This can provide insights into their reliability and stability as a tenant. Lifestyle and Habits: Discuss their lifestyle to ensure it aligns with your property’s rules. For example, ask about pets, smoking habits, and how they maintain their living space. In closing, to find suitable tenants, you should have strict eligibility criteria that also meet the standard of The Fair Housing Act. After shortlisting a few possible tenants, conduct a thorough background check along with a bit of investigative work to choose the best tenant for your rental.Read More... 5 Easy Ways To Make Extra Rent Money Property Valuation Software for Real Estate Appraisals Wholesaling: Tips For Investors To Make It Big In Real Estate

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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DC Metro Area Real Estate Update

3 Ways To Simplify The Process Of Relocating

Finding the Perfect Fit: A Landlord’s Guide to Selecting Suitable Tenant

Best Home Buying Tips for First Time Buyers

Financial Planning

Size of the House

Location of the House

Using Property Agents

Share this Article

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

Recent

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