U.S. home sales are on the rise, with more homes being bought this year than any year since 2008. The housing market is picking up speed, and many people are looking for more information on finding a home and making an offer.
Be careful, though, because there are many things that can go wrong along the way. Here are our three tips to successfully buy a new home, without running into some of the snags and roadblocks others will experience.
1. How A Realtor Can Help
People often under estimate the value of a great Realtor, or think they can manage the process themselves. An experienced, licensed Realtor will be able to save you time by matching you up to the type of homes you are interested in. Often, they are aware of properties that are not yet officially on the market. Because they have home negotiating experience, they will also be able to get you the best closing price on your property if you decide to make an offer.
2. Tips for Visiting
If you are serious about a particular home, try visiting it at different times of the day. What many people do not realize, is the time of day can greatly impact your impression of the desirability of a location. Noisy, busy morning traffic might be absent in the afternoon. Loud noises from the bar at the end of the street will not be noticeable in the morning. People sometimes regret their home sales after finding out that their neighborhood was not what they expected it to be.
3. Home Inspection
In general, most homes have defects, so it is important to know what repairs are needed in order to negotiate a lower price or perhaps go with a house that will require less maintenance. If you like the idea of an affordable home that requires a little fixing up, be realistic about the time and money that repairs and upgrades will require. A home inspection will check for water, structural, and insect damage, as well as things like mold and roof deterioration. Arrange for a home inspection prior to signing. It might cost you $200 up front, but it could save you thousands overall.
