If you’ve decided that it’s time you bought your own place then congratulations! You’re heading in the right direction! However, buying a house is more than just spotting a house, giving them some money, and moving in.
There are a number of steps that need to be taken if you’re going to succeed at becoming a homeowner.
1.Verify Your Budget
The first step in the house buying process is to find out how much you can borrow. The majority of mortgage companies will expect you to have 20% of the purchase price as your own deposit. That means you need some savings behind you.
you’ll then need to find out how much you can actually borrow, your current financial commitments and earnings will have a significant impact on this. Therefore it is very important to do lots of research about loan types, compare mortgage rates, understand what you can borrow and what it’s going to cost you per month is critical regarding what you’re letting yourself in for. You need to be certain you can afford it. If you are buying a home from HOA, read out the HOA reserves the rule of thumb.
2. Know Your Costs
The asking price is not the only cost you need to consider. There will also be a commission to the real estate agent, legal fees, lending fees, surveys, and a host of other costs that you may not have foreseen but will still need to be paid. It’s important that you understand what these costs are and be prepared for them.
You should note that a reputable auctioneer will charge significantly less for the properties they have for sale.
3. Consider Your Aims
It’s important to decide what you want from the house. Are you looking for a fixer-upper? Perhaps you’re hoping for something small and cozy that will last you for a couple of years Or, perhaps you’ve decided to start a family and want a house big enough to handle everything you’re envisioning.
There is no right or wrong answer to this question, but it is important to understand what you hope to achieve from your ownership of a house.
4. Work
It’s easy to be sucked into a trap, exchanging size and beauty for practicality. You need to consider where you work and how you’ll get there. This is why all property owners should be thinking about the location. It’s more than just assessing how pretty an area is or whether there are shops nearby. You need to be able to get to and from work easily, minimizing time on the road and maximizing time at your home
5. Get Surveys
No matter how well recommended a house comes or how good a price it is, you need to have surveys done before you complete on a purchase.
The simple fact is that the best looking house in the world can need new electrics, plumbing, and be suffering from a damp problem. Without the survey you’re not going to know about the extensive costs, leaving you walking into a money pit.
The survey can be used to renegotiate the price if necessary, effectively saving you money!
