Buying A Home? 5 Tips You Should Know
If you're thinking of buying a home in Staunton or Waynesboro VA, you already know the real estate buying process can be stressful.
That's why we came up with seven ways to make it much smoother!
Remember, there is no perfect home! If you can get 85%-90% of what you want, that's a good match!
2. Find the right real estate agent for you.
That's critical! You want to make sure you find an agent that listens to you and adheres to high professional standards.
Just as important, you want an agent that fits with your personality, and is accommodating and flexible. Working with an agent that you're comfortable with and that you trust makes the whole process easier.
3. Know what you can afford.
Don't underestimate the cost of buying a home. There's more to it than just the purchase price. You'll need to include other ongoing costs like:
- Homeowner's insurance
- Property taxes
- Mortgage insurance
- Home maintenance costs
- Homeowner association fees
Then, there are closing costs to factor in. Young people who want to buy a home often have champagne tastes but a beer budget. This harkens back to tip #1. Know what you can afford.
If it's your first house, you may not get all the amenities you want the first time round. That's okay. Remember, you'll need to make some concessions to become a first time homeowner.
4. Take your time!
The best thing you can do is shop around. Once you find several areas that you like, drive around those neighborhoods at different times of the day and night. What do you see? Are there kids riding bikes? Couples out for a walk? Basically, you want to assess the feel of the neighborhood to determine if it's what you're looking for.
5. Make A Good Offer
It's important to stay objective about the property you're buying. Try not to fall in love! Objectivity will help you during negotiations, preventing you from making a decision solely based on emotion.
Secondly, you want to make an appealing offer to the seller so that you stand out from other potential buyers. This would include the actual offer amount and the terms of the sale.
When you're ready to close on your new home, don't forget title insurance! That's where we come in. Lilly Title & Settlement can provide you with quality insurance to protect you for as long as you own your home. And we can handle your real estate closing.