Buying a home is such a huge purchase, and it’s often a bit intimidating to know exactly what to do throughout the process. Even seasoned veterans can make some mistakes along the way. Here are a few of the most common mistakes you can make and how to avoid them.
You probably have read that your first step, prior to looking for homes, is to go to a lender and get pre-approved. This is a great first step. This will tell you how much money your lender will be willing to loan you and when you add this to the amount you have saved for the down payment, you get a total amount that you can spend. However, it is wise to note that you are in no way required to spend as much as you are able to get. Crunch your budget numbers and see what you are really comfortable paying each month. Be sure to figure in all of your monthly expenses as well as new home-related expenses you will incur, such as the property taxes and insurance for your home. Homeowner association dues are another expense to add in, as well.
A home is just like a person. You can’t always judge them by the first appearance. Sometimes a home is outdated but in fantastic shape with a great layout and plenty of space. You must look beyond the ugly wallpaper, the orange shag carpeting, popcorn ceilings and faux wood paneling. That can all be fixed, and the seller’s ugly furniture and knickknacks aren’t going to be there after you buy the house, so ignore them. On the flip side, a house could look beautiful and perfectly staged, but have real problems. It might not have enough rooms for you or perhaps the roof needs to be replaced. Always look past the way a place looks to really judge whether this is the right home for you.
Not only do you have to live in the house, you also have to live in the neighborhood. This is why you really need to research the location. Take a look at the homes in the neighborhood. Are they well-maintained? Generally, we visit homes in the middle of the day when a neighborhood tends to be fairly quiet. Be sure to return at night and on a weekend day to really get a sense of the true noise level. Listen for barking dogs and loud music from the garage band across the street. A busy street also can be a cause for concern, particularly if you have kids or pets. Living across from a school or just down the street from a hospital or fire station also can be disruptive. Also keep in mind how far the home is from work and services, such as grocery stores, drug stores and restaurants.
While it is increasingly easy to find homes you like online and even to do some research on neighborhood comps, trying to get through the buying process without a realtor is not a good idea. A real estate agent has a great deal of experience in buying and selling homes and when you are the buyer, you need an advocate looking out for you. Your realtor not only will act as your advocate, they also can help you through the maze of inspections and escrow.
The team at Nixon Real Estate is ready and willing to help anyone searching for Texas Hill Country real estate. This includes homes for sale in Fredericksburg, San Antonio homes for sale, Kerrville homes for sale or real estate in other Texas Hill Country towns and cities.
Pammy McGrath enjoys reading about real estate blogs. If you are looking for licensed Fredericksburg real estate agents, or to discover Fredericksburg homes for sale, please check out the NixonRealEstate.com website today.