Some ideas to help you buy your new home
Shop for mortgage rates and terms.
A difference of even half a percentage point can mean a considerable savings over the life of a loan. For example, the difference in the monthly payment on a $100,000 mortgage at 8 percent vs. 7.5 percent is about $35 per month. Over 30 years, that’s $12,600.
Outline what you want
The next step in home buying is to create a realistic idea of the property you’d like to buy. What features are most important to you? Make two lists: one of the items you can’t live without and one of the features you would enjoy. Refine the lists as you house-hunt. It is also helpful to search online to see what is currently available on the market. Your real estate professional can then show you houses that meet your expectations.
Visit properties
Now you’re ready to visit houses. Ask your Parkside Realty Group Associate to help in your home-buying process by arranging showings. Be sure to keep track of the properties you’ve seen. Each time you venture out to see more properties, revisit your notes to immediately eliminate any that clearly do not meet your standards.
Know the features that help or hurt resale
In some areas, a swimming pool actually detracts from a home’s value and makes it harder to sell. In neighborhoods with two-car, attached garages, a single-car or detached garage may affect the home buying prospects and future value. Your Parkside Realty Group professional can point out features that hurt or help resale value.
Rate the houses you tour
After touring each home, write down what you liked and didn’t like. Develop a rating system that will help narrow the home buying field. For example, pick the house you like best on day one and compare all other houses to it. When you find a better one, use the new favorite as the standard. Avoid trying to track more than four top choices at any given time, since this can quickly become overwhelming.
Make an offer
Once you’ve pinpointed your dream house, it’s time to get serious about the financial and contractual side of the purchase. Let your Parkside Realty Group Associate guide you through this sensitive home-buying process. Because you and the seller have different goals, rely on your Parkside Realty Group agent’s experience and expertise to bring order and calm to the process — and help both parties reach a favorable outcome.