All homes have flaws. Some you can deal with; others are deal breakers. We all know that there is no perfect home. Willingness to consider both the positive and negative features of a home and weigh their relative importance is essential.
Here are the Best and Handy Home buying Tips:
■ Stalk the Neighborhood
Before you buy, get the lay of the land – drop by morning noon and night. Find out how far it is to the nearest services.
■ The Secret Science of Bidding
Your opening bid should be based on two things: what you can afford and what you really believe the property is worth.
■ Give Your House a Physical
Hire a home inspector. A home inspector’s sole responsibility is to provide you with information so that you can make a decision as to whether or not to buy
■ You’re Buying a House – Not Dating It
Buying a house based on emotions is just going to break your heart. If you fall in love with something, you might end up making some pretty bad financial decisions. It’s an investment, so stay calm and be wise.
■ Avoid Sleeper Costs
Most people just focus on their mortgage payment, but they also need to be aware of the other expenses. Make sure you budget for sleeper costs so you’ll be covered and won’t risk losing your house.
■ Bigger Isn’t Always Better
Bigger is usually not better when it comes to houses. Sometimes it is best to buy the worst house on the block, because the worst house per square foot always trades for more than the biggest house.
■ Don’t Try to Time the Market
Don’t obsess with trying to time the market and figure out when is the best time to buy. The best time to buy is when you find your perfect house and you can afford it. So, if you try to wait for the perfect time, you’re probably going to miss out.
■ Avoid a Border Dispute
It’s absolutely essential to get a survey done on your property so you know exactly what you’re buying. Knowing precisely where your property lines are may save you from a potential dispute with your neighbors.
■ Get Pre-Approved for Your Home Loan
Learn about junk fees, processing fees or points and make sure there aren’t any hidden costs in the loan.
■ Keep Your Money Where It Is
Lenders need to see that you’re reliable and they want a complete paper trail so that they can get you the best loan possible.
These are just a few examples of the considerations you may face when evaluating homes. Of course, there are many, many more. Just remember that you while you're looking for the ideal home, there is no such thing. And while it would be foolish to overlook some issues, it would be equally foolish not to overlook others.
Please feel free to begin the process at Abernethy Properties or see what your home is worth at Carolinas Home Values. Please don't hesitate to let me know how we can help you with all of your Carolinas Real Estate needs.
Give us a call at 704-665-7111 or email us at Mike@AbernethyProperties.com.
