Momentum - Business to Business Online Magazine MOMENTUM March 2018 | Page 30

Ready To Buy A House? Yikes! Where Do You Start? By: Deborah Bly [email protected] www.theblyteam.com Buying your 1st home can be daunting. Important things to put on your check off list should be: Get to know your area: With the online service out there, these days it has made it really easy for a new home buyer to start understanding options. Do a little online shopping and from there get in the car and start driving around. Start to get an idea for the areas that are appealing to you. Of all of the decisions that you will need to make when you buy your home, this list is probably one of the most important. • What about schools. • What are the property taxes? • Is there a MUD (Municipal Utility Tax)? • What are the home owner association dues? • Do you care if there is an area pool and is that important to you? • Is there shopping nearby? • What about being close to relatives and friends • What about parks and recreation areas. • How far will the drive be to work? down the line. The home that is cute and a great fit right now may be perfect today, but may or may not suit your needs in the near future. Another important thing to consider will be the age of the home. On a brand-new home, you will most likely pay a premium however any major repairs will be deferred for a few years down the road. On an older home most definitely, a thorough home inspection will be needed from top to bottom so you can be completely informed on what you are getting yourself into. Other things to consider will be the value of the home, not only today... but several years down the road. Are you considering a neighborhood that will be declining in value or increasing in value? When you have gotten this far you have barely scratched the surface. This is all before you look at your 1st home. There is a lot of decisions to be made and guidance is invaluable as you navigate through inspections, how to present your best offer, different loan programs and insurance prices.... the list goes on. And the best news is... it is not an expense charged to the Buyer. Realtor fees for a buyer are typically paid out of the sellers closing costs The best advice... Contact a reputable and experienced Realtor! Do your homework. Check reviews and testimonials. In the long run a great Realtor will not only save you heart-ache and head-ache but money as well! They size of the home will also be an important factor to consider. Are you buying a home that will fit the growing needs of your family? Consider where you will be 2-5 years MOMENTUM / March 2018 30