Take a look at our list of tips to help you have a stress free and more prepared experience while buying your first home!
- SECURE FINANCING
Is buying a home a good idea for you? Buying your first home is usually the biggest investment you’ve made in your life so far. Calculate what you can afford and make sure you are financially ready for buying a home.
- IMPROVE YOUR CREDIT SCORE
Having a good credit score is extremely important. Need to get your credit score up? Make sure to stay current on bills! Watch those credit card balances, leave old debt on your report, and don’t make any large purchases if you are serious about buying a home. A higher credit score = a lower interest rate!
- DECIDE WHAT TYPE OF HOME YOU’RE LOOKING FOR
Are you looking to buy your starter home or your forever home? For some people, the idea of moving over and over again is a nightmare. Others like the idea of settling down and living in one home until they grow nice and wrinkly. Some people don’t mind moving, changing locations, or getting to know new areas. Bottom line is, know what you want in a home and it will narrow your search and target the specific kind of home you are looking for.
- CATEGORIZE YOUR WANTS AND NEEDS
Figure out what your home needs to have and what you want to have. The key word is NEED. When buying your first home think about what you absolutely cannot live without. Everyone is different so make sure to know what it is that you absolutely need. Then make a list of wants. Maybe you want a big master bedroom or an indoor pool but the bottom line is make your lists so that you know exactly what you want and what you need to have.
- NARROW DOWN THE AREA YOU WANT TO LIVE IN
Do your research! Most people start off looking at the distance between a home and a work place or schools. You might want to look at distance first if you know what school you want your child to attend or you currently have a job you don’t see yourself leaving. The more you research the more you can narrow down to exactly what you want.
- HIRING THE RIGHT AGENT
Again, DO YOUR RESEARCH! (Contact Ashley Wilson Realty Group for all your real estate needs! 919.378. 1974) You want a boss! You want to work with someone who knows their stuff and can answer your questions without them having to get back to you all the time. You want someone who has your best interest in mind!
- IT’S OKAY TO ASK QUESTIONS
You don’t just walk into a dealership and hand over your credit card. You always ask questions first. You might want to ask how many owners have there been or what extra features are included. Ask all the questions you want to ask and take notes! You might end up looking at multiple houses that have a similar style and after 3 or 4 houses they begin to blend together.
- BE PREPARED TO MAKE AN OFFER
We know that buying a home can be nerve racking but that’s why you did your research and hired the right agent (Again, Call Ashley Wilson Realty Group for all your real estate needs! 919.378. 1974) to help you through the process. Be prepared to make an offer if something seems reasonable. You are not legally bound until you sign the papers. Don’t get discouraged if you are outbid. The market is hot right now and properties are going fast!