Top 5 Tips for New Homebuyers
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Find out what you can afford.
When you’re sure you have the right mind set to be a homeowner, it’s time to determine how much house & Homeowners Insurance you can afford. Probably the best way to do that is to get pre-qualified for a loan. In fact, some real estate agents won’t work with someone who is not pre-qualified.
Find out what’s available
Now it’s time to decide where you want to live and research what types of housing are available — one-story single family, condos, town homes, etc. You can get an idea by looking at ads and driving around the community before you ever call a real estate agent.
Choose a neighborhood.
Once you know the housing stock, you can look at specific neighborhoods. Cruise by at night time to see whether you get a “vibe” that it’s a safe neighborhood. If you have children, you’ll want to check out the quality of the schools. You may want to check out what types of large-scale facilities (airports, highways, chemical plants, etc.) are nearby, and whether you’re convenient to shopping, work and schools. You can do much of this independently, but you can also ask your agent to help you find sources of information about such things.
Define your house and find it.
Now, you can narrow down the features you want in a house. Do you want an energy-efficient model? Do you want two stories, a basement, a bathroom downstairs or a large back yard? You may not find a unit with every feature that you want, but this will help you to define what’s most important for you.
When you’ve found a house that has your most important features, is in the right neighborhood and is affordable, you’re ready to buy.
Do a home inspection.
HUD recommends that an offer should be contingent on a home inspection. As the buyer, you cover the cost of the inspection. If you’re unsatisfied with the results, you may ask the seller to pay for certain repairs or to lower the price, or you may decide to walk away from the deal.
Shop around for california home insurance.
Your lender will require you to carry homeowners insurance. Such insurance comes in many flavors, so it’s a good idea to search for a policy that meets your needs for protection while being easy on your pocketbook. Access insurance information that is appropriate for your state. Many states provide data on typical rates charged by insurers, as well as information on the frequency of consumer complaints against a company.
Remland Insurance Services, Inc. is here to serve you in any way we can and help you find the best deal on your Homeowners Insurance.
