Many homeowners worry about whether their property will retain its value over time. Here’s some tips on this subject.
When purchasing real estate, you should be realistic in thinking about your resale options. If you are not going to stay in the home for the duration of the mortgage, like many first time buyers tend not to do, then weigh the cost vs. resale of the property, so you have a clear idea of the life of the purchase.
When buying a home after a previous home has foreclosed, you may be asked for a larger down payment. In many cases this is usually around twenty percent. The larger a down payment you can put on a new home the lower the interest rate is going to be for your loan.
If you are not in any hurry to buy a home, check the paper for homes that are listed to go up for auction. One homeowner’s loss may be your gain. You can get a home for far less than market price by going through the home auction process.
When you buy a home with the intent of making repairs or doing a major renovation, always overestimate the cost of the repairs. This ensures that you will budget enough money for the true cost, as well as leave you with an allowance should something go wrong during the repairs.
When purchasing a home, respect the seller’s priorities. Doing so can help you to negotiate a deal that works for everyone. A seller may not be willing to budge on price, but might help with closing costs or settle on a different closing date. Working together can be advantageous for everyone.
Before making a final decision on a home purchase, you’ll want to have the house checked out by an inspector. Choose one yourself, instead of using one the seller or the seller’s agent suggests. A good inspector will point out things that are wrong with the house, but only to a certain point — there are things that can be hidden even to a trained eye.
If you plan to buy a home, learn all you can about the process. Although a real estate agent will be representing you in the purchase, you should still learn enough about the process so that you will know if your agent is doing an effective job. Always get references on your agent to make sure he is competent.
While the internet has made it easier than ever to buy and sell real estate across town or across the country, it also makes it easier to make expensive mistakes. Never buy a property without actually visiting it yourself or hiring a professional home inspector who can conduct a thorough on-site evaluation of the property and report findings objectively. Remember, photos can be very deceiving.
When making an offer on a home you intend to buy, you will need to add the amount of your down payment. You should consider the amount of your down payment carefully. The size of your down payment will show the seller how serious you are and will also be evaluated by the lender. This may determine if you will be able to obtain the loan.
Although you might be attracted to saving some money by sharing your seller’s agent, don’t. This also applies for the seller’s appraiser and inspector. They have more of an allegiance to their hirer, the seller. Such a large purchase should be checked thoroughly by your own appraisers and inspectors. If you crosscheck the findings of the other party, you will most likely find disparities.
A major portion of home buyers don’t realize just how complex this process really is. Make use of this advice before you buy.
