Few times in our lives are as exciting as buying a home. While the process is long, visiting a number of places and finding one that suits the needs of your family can be a good time. The feeling when you find the right home can truly be something special.
However, before you jump with both feet into buying a home, there are some things you should know. Not being familiar with these can make the buying experience more difficult, more confusing and potentially more expensive. With that in mind, this article is going to go over five key things you need to know before buying a house in 2021.
Know How Much You Can Afford
The first thing to know is how much you can afford. You need to look at your budget, and see what kind of a mortgage payment your finances allow you to pay. If you don’t do this, you could end up becoming house-poor, with a mortgage payment every month that is too expensive for you to comfortably pay every month without sacrificing things like saving, food or other costs.
Also, your credit report should be perfect and free from errors. The better your credit score, generally the better your interest rate will be and the cheaper your payments will ultimately become. However, you need to remember that there are more costs than simply the mortgage. You will have closing costs, costs for inspection, potential repairs and maintenance, utilities and more. Ensure that you have enough leftover after a down payment and mortgage payments to be able to afford these extra costs.
Know the Neighborhood Surrounding the Home
When looking at possible homes to buy, everyone knows to go through the quality of the home with a fine-toothed comb. You want to learn everything there is to know about the home to make sure it is a good choice. But in addition to the home, you should also evaluate the neighborhood.
You want to choose a neighborhood that is safe, and close to the amenities you need and use. For example, if you like to be outside, the neighborhood should have ample parks and walking paths for you to be able to enjoy. Be sure to explore around a neighborhood before you buy a home, to see if it is a place you can see yourself being happy in.
Know How to Compare Mortgage Offers
Your mortgage is one of the most important things to know about when buying a home. Without mortgages, hardly anyone would be able to afford a home. However, not all mortgages are created equally. They can have different terms, different rates and even different rules. Because of this, it is important to know how to compare mortgage offers.
You need to know the kind of mortgage you want, find the right interest rate. Of course you want a low interest rate, but you also need to think about whether you want a fixed or variable rate, the term you want, the amortization period and several other things.
The rate is important, but not the only thing to think about when comparing different options. For example, some mortgages may allow you to pre-pay without penalty and some may include fees that others won’t. You need to read and understand every potential mortgage offer before deciding which is best suited for your needs.
Be Aware of What To Look For in a Good Real Estate Agent
In most cases, enlisting the help of a real estate agent is a good way to simplify the process of buying a home. They will handle most of the paperwork, negotiations and can even help you find the home of your dreams. But in most decently sized cities, you have dozens (if not hundreds) of different agents who claim they are the right person for the job.
In order to find the right one, you need to know what to look for. You should look for an agent who is experienced and has good reviews and a good reputation. They should also be someone you get along with, and who is easy to speak to and get a hold of. The agent should also be willing to work around your schedule.
Know the Right Questions to Ask the Seller
While you will tour a home and get an inspection done before buying a home, it is also a good idea to ask some questions about the home. Many sellers will be honest and forthcoming about a home, but some unfortunately will withhold certain details if they aren’t asked about them.
If you ask the wrong questions or don’t ask any at all, you may not truly understand the home or buying opportunity for what it is. Getting your pressing investigative questions answered can help give you a lot of peace of mind, as well.
There are many different questions you should consider asking a home seller. Be sure to ask them about any problems, what will all be included with the sale, how long the home has been on the market for, and about any renovations or repairs. Of course, be sure to keep the questions fairly general about the home and its quality, and not about the individual or their lifestyle or life choices.
Whether you are buying a home in early 2021, or not until the end of the year, these are some important things you certainly need to know and keep in mind.
