At some point when you were younger, you imagined what your first home would be like. Some may have imagined living in a castle, or maybe the home their parents lived in as a child. Before you can make your dream home a reality, there are some things everyone needs to consider.
The process of buying a home can be difficult, dragged out, and not the slightest bit of fun if you aren’t prepared or ready to make some serious decisions. So before you start watching HGTV to get inspiration on how to decorate and furnish your new home, grab a notepad and pen to write out a plan, budget, and needs/want list.
#1 – Are you ready to be a homeowner?
Are you ready to be a grown up and buy your first home? Ready to move out of an apartment with your roommates or out of your family’s place to be in a place all your own? Are you ready to a pay a mortgage for 10 years, or possibly longer? Not to mention paying for lawn care, house maintenance, and other house bills? If some of your answers were a no, it’s okay! What you can do to change the answers is to start saving. Saving until you are confident that the money you have will and can afford the type of home you want. You’ll want to make sure you have enough saved up to cover a down payment, broker fees, closing costs, and obviously extra money to cover costs of getting new appliances or house fixtures if needed.
When talking to a lender, make sure you ask about all your options for financing your new home. How much can you afford, and what options are best for you? Work with someone who will be able to hear what you want and takes into consideration your situation. Work with someone who can work with you.
#2 – Look for a realtor that works with you
While you may have started searching for homes in newspapers and online at sites like Realtor, Trulia, or Zillow, or began to think about what you want in a home. Take time to research realtors that can make the process easier and friendlier for you! Make sure the realtor that is helping find your home, is the one that is working with you so they can show you all your options. They can guide you through the process keeping in mind all that you’re looking for, including what you can afford! So put a little time and energy into finding a real estate company that will treat you well and accomplish all that you are looking for!
#3 – What type of home and neighborhood do you want?
Figure out what type of home and what type of area you can see yourself living long-term. Do you plan on starting a family in the future, or maybe having pets? Maybe you’re looking for a neighborhood with an environment that is welcoming and amicable. Maybe the area has regular get-togethers? Do you see yourself on a quiet street with few noise complaints? A community that provides the peace you’re looking for?
Another thing to consider, is the commute to your job going to be easier or a little longer due to more traffic? If you have a family or are planning on expanding it, consider the area’s school district. What’s the school’s reputation? What’s the commute time like?
For your home, do you want a spacious lawn and a finished deck with room for entertainment? Or maybe something low maintenance with a couple bushes or trees? Can see yourself putting effort into to your lawn care, or wanting something with no extra landscaping but a driveway and a bush or two?
#4 – Know your needs and wishes
Begin a list of the things you need in your home for life to be easy, like a large kitchen if you regularly entertain or host
parties and get-togethers, or having a spacious walk-in closet for both you and your partner’s belongings to fit. Compile a list of the things you need now and may need in the future.
For your wishlist, be realistic about the things you would like to have in your new home. If you’re dreaming of having a four-car garage when you only need two, spend more time weighing out what’s important to have and what’s nice to have. A wishlist should be the sprinkles on top of the sundae that is your home. The extra features that make your “yes”, turn into a YES, let’s buy this home! Even if you end up in a home that doesn’t have all your wants, you can always save and make those additional home renovations to include your wishlist.
#5 – Home inspections and walkthroughs
When viewing homes in person, keep in mind that not every house is going to be your home! Be ready for some disappointment and some hope as to what you’re looking for. Also, keep an open mind when viewing a home. If there’s room in your budget to buy and make future renovations, then keep the house a viable option. If you know a home is in need of many renovations that exceed your budget then you may have to let it go.
Also when touring what could be your future home, pay attention to the foundation, its electrical work, windows, walls, any sort of things that stick out. You wanna make sure that before you buy a home, that the keys aren’t the only thing coming with the place. Any sort of past issue or current problems should be brought up while looking at a home and especially before considering a down payment!
#6 – Closing the deal
If you believe you have found a house that can meet most, if not, all your needs and wishes, gives you good vibes and fits your budget, then proceed to negotiate the price. If you did notice things that stuck out in the home inspection, then renegotiate the price or see what the current owner can do before you place a down payment. You are always able to negotiate toward a deal that works for you!
If you lucked out and found a home with little to no problems, fits your budgets, and suits all your needs then claps for you! If you found a fixer-upper that with some time can give you your dream home, still a claps for you! No matter what home you end up closing on, you get to call it your home!
If you lucked out and found a home with little to no problems, fits your budgets, and suits all your needs then claps for you! If you found a fixer-upper that with some time can give you your dream home, still a claps for you! No matter what home you end up closing on, you get to call it your home!
If you think you want to begin your journey with us at Red Door then feel free to give us a call or an email to meet and get things started!
Red Door WNY
(716)768-1177
realtyrenee@gmail.com
By: Kaitlin Tillman
