5 Things to Know Before Buying a Home

Posted on A well-kept, new home

While buying a home can be an exciting time in life, some couples tend to jump the gun and make a purchase without doing thorough research. A bit of research could mean they would find a better home or a better price. Before making that big purchase, there are a few things to keep in mind. Remember when you move to visit us-mailing-change-of-address.com to change your address.

Understand the Necessary Repair Work

If your home builders tell you that the roof needs to be repaired, you might not think too much about it. However, when the time to fix the roof comes, the contractor could give you a $5,000 estimate. If you’re going to purchase a home that needs repair work, ensure that you have a probable estimate and an independent inspection. Then budget for that repair. Do not just overlook it.

A related tip might be talking to the neighbors about the building process. Ask if they noticed any problems. If the construction team had a bad reputation, the neighbors might have some knowledge of that.

Be Willing to Negotiate

Whether a new house or vehicle, most people are worried about negotiating the price. They don’t want to come off as negative or confrontational. But the truth is that price negotiation should be anticipated, and there is a way to do it without being negative. If there is a little wiggle room in the price, then that is something you should take advantage of.

Find the Best Mortgage Lender

Since you are probably not paying for your home with a big bag of cash, you are going to need to consult a lender. Do some research to compare the rates of mortgage lenders, both local and national. Find out what others have said about them. Another important tip is to improve your credit score before going to them. If you have a low credit score, you’re probably going to end up with a higher mortgage rate. That may mean waiting a few months or a year, but depending on your credit score, waiting might be the best option for the long-term impact the mortgage will have.

Think About the Future

Maybe you are a young couple with one child and a cat. At this point in your life, you could probably be accommodated by a two-bedroom home. However, think about the future. If you decide to have more children, you will need a home you can expand on. You may even get to a point where you want to sell your house and move a few years down the line. Find something that can accommodate your future.

Know the Value of The Purchase Price

The purchase price is important, but don’t be deceived by a seemingly low purchase price. If your down payment is low, other fees might make up for that. Consider insurance, taxes, maintenance, and anything else that might be in the fine print. Read the fine print, and get a clear idea of the present and future expenses.

You should be excited about buying a home. But that excitement needs to be filtered through sober thinking. Do the necessary research before making this life-changing purchase.

Written by
Terry Slate
Terry is the Vice President of Slate & Slate Roofing and has over 28 years of experience with both residential and commercial roofing. He specializes in metal roofing, composition roofing, and PVC membrane roofing.