10 STRONG Suggestions when buying a house!!
1. Make sure you will be there for at least 3 years
If
you think, or know, that you will not be staying in that house for more
than a year or two, buying a house is a waste of time. Buying and
selling a house costs money, and in the end, you will probably lose
money. There are real estate commissions and closing cost involved.
These will need to be paid. Buying a house is best for those who will
in place for a while, giving time for the house value to improve.
2. Fix up your credit score
For most people,
buying a house requires getting a mortgage. Getting a mortgage requires
having a good credit score. Prior to buying a house, review your credit
report and be sure that all is correct. If you find any mistakes, have
these sorted out before trying to get a mortgage. Do not buy large
ticket items while you are trying to buy a home.
3. Look for something affordable
Buy a house
costs equal to 2.5 times your yearly salary. Keep in mind; this is just
a general rule. There are other factors you must consider, and this is
just a rule of thumb. There are plenty of online calculators to give
you a very precise idea of your costs.
4. Even if you cannot put a 20% down (which is standard), do not worry
Many
lenders, both private and public, have mortgage plans that require a
very small down payment (as low as 3.5 percent of the houses price
sometimes).
5. Look for a home in an area with good schools
If
you have children, this will be very important for their future. Even
if you do not have children, living in area with good schools is
important; reason being that it greatly increases the value of the
home. This will benefit you when it comes time to sell again.
6. Receive help from an expert
Do not try to do
it on your own. Have a good agent. That's where I come in!!! Even
though people think they can do the whole process themselves, this is
usually not true. An agent will make the job ten times easier on you.
7. Know the difference between rate and points
For
those choosing a mortgage, they often have the choice of paying a part
of the interest which is usually paid at closing, at the beginning.
This will allow for them to have a lower interest rate. For those
staying in a house for a long time (3 or more years), the points option
is usually best, as it will save you money over time.
8. Get pre-approved
Getting pre-approved will
make the house searching process much easier. You will know what you
can afford and what you can't afford. Pre-approval is not the same as
pre-qualification. Being pre-approved has to do with your income, debt,
& credit history.
9. Research before making an offer
Look at the
trend of sales in the neighborhood before making an offer on a home. If
houses in the area selling for 7% less than their listing price, you
should start off by bidding around 11% lower than the listed price.
This is just an example. Your agent can give you a better idea of what
a reasonable bid is for your situation.
10. Have a home inspector visit the house
Many
people often forget to do this, and in the long run, find themselves
having to spend a lot of money on house problems which were caused by
the previous occupants. A home inspector will check for any problems
that may require you to pay to repair in the long run, and usually a
compromise will be made before you move in. Don't ever purchase a home
without a home inspection!!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ben_C_Hoss
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Hi, this is my first comment on your blog, but I’m a frequent reader. I love all the ideas you’ve given.But
I have one question.If u have any idea regarding it,then please reply for this question.Buying the house which is collateral security?
Posted by: la jolla california real estate | March 20, 2009 at 03:43 AM
Well, actually this post is a big help for me cause I am currently planning to buy a house. I enjoyed reading your article. I will apply those tips. Thanks for sharing.
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Posted by: Philippines properties for sale | July 31, 2009 at 01:10 AM