Buyers Guide for a First Time Home Owner
As a first time home buyer, the market seems to be promising and full of high returns, and the joy it brings along can be overwhelming. But buying your first home can be unprofitable if you don’t get things right.
First of all, the full cost of owning a house covers interest and principal payments, along with yearly property taxes. Also, as a home owner, you have to secure home insurance. In addition, maintaining the home falls on the home owner, and you could spend about 1.5% of the home’s market value in maintenance.
Buying a home also covers the amount you are willing to pay, as some will invest so much so as to make huge profits, while others invest just little so that they will have enough money for other things. Well, it all boils down to your preference, if you can sacrifice a lot and invest a huge amount of money or just little. The point here is that you shouldn’t get into financial crisis that will tie you down.
Making a down payment is something else to consider. Some loans require a down payment of about 3% of the home’s selling price, while others won’t. Always use a separate budget for the down payment, and don’t use all your money for it. You should also review your credit score so as to fix any errors, and it makes you know the best lending option for you. You could be asked to pay a closing cost, but your mortgage lender should explain things to you if required.
Another thing to do is monitor your finances and don’t engage in something that will revoke your mortgage approval. Now you are encouraged to hire a real estate agent. Agents makes it easy to search for a property, carryout research, and bargain deals.
The next thing is to find a home. All these depends on your desires and needs. The location of your home is very vital, so ensure to choose a neighborhood that tally’s with your needs and make buying a house easy. Make a research on the neighborhood and the area you want, and a real estate agent can also help you. Nonetheless, you should make out time to visit some of these neighborhoods yourself and find out if you really want a home there. Take time to observe what is going on.
Conclusion
Becoming a homeowner is exciting, a financial move that should work for you. As a first time homeowner, you are proving to be mature financially and progressing, capable of handling the challenges of life. As stated in this article, your path to success in owning your first home depends on your thorough research about the market, knowing your finances, and also working with a real estate agent to make things easier and smoother for you.
As you make the bold step of owning a home, remember that it is necessary to carryout required research and do the necessary things because they will help you in your journey as a home owner.
