Buying a new home can be overwhelming! There are many things to consider, questions to ask, and things to remember. That doesn’t even cover the emotions you’ll have to deal with, both sad and happy!
I’ve put a list together of a few things that will help you during the house-buying process, remember to keep it simple and don’t stress yourself out!
8 Tips to Help Find the Perfect Family Home
- Are you ready to buy a new home? You should have a steady source of reliable income, a good credit score, money saved for a down payment, and the willingness to manage a long-term debt.  Something to consider is getting pre-qualified before you begin the house hunt, that way you know how much you can afford and it makes the negotiation process simple and you can complete the deal with confidence.
- Find an honest and reliable real estate agent/broker. Friends and family are a good place to start for suggestions, this person is going to help you purchase a home for your family they need to understand your values.
- What are you looking for in a home? It is pretty easy to fall in love with a home BUT does it meet your needs? Make a list of what you want including everything from bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, eating area, garage, backyard and whatever else you can think of. The more specific you are the easier it will be to identify the perfect home and make the buying decision.
- If you have children this is probably at the top of your list! What schools do you have access to and where are the school boundaries located? Whether you're looking for private or public schooling options this should be at the top of your list when considering location.
- How do you remember all the details? Take along a camera and notepad, or your phone! Make notes, take photos, and even video so you can look back at each home and keep track of what you like about each one.
- Extra expenses. Don’t forget about closing costs, taxes, insurance, and maintenance expenses to owning a home. All things to take into consideration while on the hunt.
- Get every agreement in writing. Make sure to get an inspection and to make purchasing the home contingent on it passing an inspection. The last thing you want to do is buy a home that’s full of unexpected problems and needs repair.
- Build A Home. When you can’t find the perfect home for your family consider building one instead!
- Think Long Term. building a home requires thinking long-term. You grow old and eventually, your children will build their own family as well. To lessen the hassle of transferring property to them, a well-prepared quitclaim deed will help you avoid probate. You will be at ease that your house will be passed on to the right person you wish to transfer it.
Buying a home should be fun and exciting! Don’t forget to ask questions and enjoy the house-hunting process. Make sure to take it slowly, evaluate your options, and make decisions that are right for you and your family!
Happy house hunting!