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Have you been thinking of buying a home for your family without making any costly mistakes? Do you want to make sure you get the best deal? If so, then you came to the right place. Buying a home can be easy or difficult depending on how much you know. Besides having all your priorities right, there are certain things you need to have in mind to make the best decision.
Getting a trusted realtor is a must
Like many buyers, you may be hesitant to get a realtor or real estate agent because you want to keep as much of your money as possible. It’s true that realtors get a cut of a home’s sales price, and you may think that they drive up the overall cost unnecessarily. However, the seller is the one that pays the commission, not the buyer. You need to keep in mind that the seller’s agent can easily pocket the commission from both sides because they wouldn’t ordinarily protect your interests. You won’t save any money.
However, having a good realtor means that your interests will be protected, and you’ll be guided through the entire buying process, right from negotiating the home’s price to navigating the typical home inspections. That’s why Forbes states why homebuyers require such agents to get a good deal.
It’s important to buy for more than your current life
It’s very likely that buying a house is one of the biggest financial moves and commitments you’ll ever make in your life. You may have a house in mind that you consider a dream home, but it may not be compatible with your long-term plans.
It therefore makes sense to assess your life from a long-term viewpoint before making the decision. Do you plan on expanding your family? Do you plan on having another job? Depending on your mortgage terms and the market, it may not be feasible for you to pay down any considerable equity for the next eight years. If you’re not very certain that the house will be the home for you in the next ten years, the best option may be to continue looking.
A suitable location can save you thousands of dollars
Do you prefer Lehigh valley real estate or does another area seem more suitable? Whatever place you want to live, you need to have all the factors that define your ideal location in mind. It’s easy to overlook other important factors when you spot something you really love in a neighborhood. For instance, if you like parks and find an alluring house near a park, you may forget to consider other important aspects, such as schools, shops, traffic flow, access to main roads and so forth. After a while, you might find yourself spending more money on a more suitable home.
The age and overall condition of the appliances
Home appliances can be very expensive to replace. You therefore need to take some time to assess the condition and age of each one of them. Many people also find themselves changing appliances after purchasing a house because it doesn’t match their style. Perhaps you don’t enjoy a central HVAC system as much as a zoned HVAC system. Maybe you prefer a gas stove to an electric range.
Changing such appliances can be very costly. Depending on the space and structure of the house, it may not be practical or possible at all to change them. You therefore need to let your realtor know what your preferences are, which includes the appliances you cannot do without.
While checking the house, you can get an expert to help you assess the age and condition of the appliances. That way, you won’t regret investing in the house later on.
You’d be better off seeing beyond the cosmetics
It’s true that older homes can look incredibly attractive, but they can be very costly to maintain in the long run. Although such houses are often cheaper, they can bog you down with endless repairs and upgrades. If you’re not looking for a newly built home, you need to be very careful and meticulous while assessing your options. It’s possible to find a building that doesn’t require a significant fix, but you should determine that with an objective inspection. Forget all the positives and factor in all the costs before deciding whether you can afford to purchase it.
Final Thoughts
It’s generally not easy to complete a home buying process successfully. However, if you keep these tips in mind, you shouldn’t have much to worry about.
