Okay, so you’ve been longing to own a house and be able to decorate it with your own flavor. You are ready to invest your money and move in as soon as possible! Don’t jump in too quickly, there are some things you should consider before making your purchase. Here is some advice on what you should consider before you decide on buying your dream house.
- Neighborhood Amenities
Yes, it may be the loveliest house in the area, but have you considered the neighborhood where you (or your family) will be living? Check thedevelopment of the neighborhood, the crime reports, nearby schools and local amenities before writing an offer.
- How accessible is the area?
Your first visit to the home may show that it’s easy to reach the house, even if there is occasional heavy traffic. Try going to the house by commuting in heavier traffic and check if it will still be easy for you. Also, observe the traffic pattern in different days and time.
- Peacefulness
Visit the neighborhood on different times of the day to check on how quiet or how noisy it can be. Also try visiting during different days of the week. Is it noisy during Saturday nights? The activeness of the neighborhood depends on your taste and lifestyle. So you may want to check this out too.
- Home Inspection is a Big MUST
Never ever forget to schedule a home inspection, it will help you identify the things or parts of the house that need a repair. An inspection will help you calculate for the cost of maintenance and repairs. Many buyers negotiate through repair requests with the sellers after their inspection.
- Overall Quality
Is the electrical system okay? Is the water heater working? Is the roof new or in good shape? You must also check the overall quality of the home that you want to buy. Check everything from the structure, water control, fixtures down to fireplaces. If you see too much that needs repair, then you may want to reconsider this house that could cost you more money in the future.
- Taxes and Dues
Make sure that you know how much you will have to pay for the taxes, home owner association dues, insurance and utility bills. If you buy the house, you will not be paying for only the Principal and Interest; you also have to consider into your budget the other financial responsibilities that come with home ownership.
It’s not bad to be really prudent when buying a house. This is a big investment and you don’t want to end up throwing away your savings on something you can’t be sure of. Evaluation will help you be confident in purchasing your new home.