Buyers

Finding your the Perfect Home!

Deciding on the right home is always a challenge, here are some things to look for when considering your next home…

 

The Size of the Home You Need

Never—no matter how tempting it is—buy a bigger space than what you currently need (expected family growth included). A big house just means there is more space to maintain, more utility bills to pay and more things that could go wrong. So think about where you have lived before, and how much space your belongings really require.

Your Loan Approval Numbers and Down Payment Options

Getting pre-approval for a loan isn’t an instant lock, but it does give you a very good idea of what sort of mortgage you can handle, making this an important step. Your mortgage approval numbers will also dictate how much you need to consider for a down payment… usually around 20 percent, but that varies for some government FHA loans and individual deals made with sellers.

 

What Home Inspections Uncover

Tips for buying a house should always include information on inspections. A home inspection isn’t just a formality, inspections frequently uncover serious issues with a house including foundation problems, rot, pest issues, roof damage, mold, improper insulation, out-of-date wiring and much more. You need to know about these issues before you make a final decision.

 

Proximity to Work and Schools

Check the routes to work and nearby schools as appropriate. Note any public transportation stops as well. Don’t just look at a map: Travel the routes yourself and see what they are like, how busy they are and how much time it will take.

 

The Age of Appliances

Appliances are some of the most expensive portions of the home and deserve a closer look. Generally, if an appliance is more than 10 years old, the time is coming for a replacement. This applies to ovens, refrigerators and other important fixtures. Also, always make sure that the appliances you see will actually be staying in the house after you buy it (some sellers can be very sneaky about this).

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