Saturday, September 1, 2012

Beyond Monopoly Money: Tips For Buying Real Estate

By Jackrufusso Can


The purchase of a piece of real estate can be a large step in anyone's life, but it is especially so for someone who is a first time buyer. It's a massive commitment, and a significant financial risk as well, which can be stressful. In the following paragraphs, you'll find tips that can help any buyer make a good purchase, and will make the process of purchasing property a little less stressful.

A home inspection should be done whether or not the bank requires it. Hiring a professional home inspector prior to purchase is essential to buying a property and knowing what you are getting yourself into. A novice eye can miss a lot of issues in a home, so the use of a professional inspector is necessary to be sure the property meets your expectations.

When you are considering a certain real estate agent, make sure to have plenty of questions planned to address all of your concerns. Some questions to consider is are you a buyer's agent, a seller's agent or a dual agent. Other questions include the average number of listings the agent carries and the average home prices. A good agent will be able to answer all your questions.

When purchasing real estate, it is important to have additional funds set aside because there might be unexpected costs. Real estate buyers generally take into account only the amount of the down payment, relevant taxes that will be charged, and funds needed by the bank when determining closing costs. But there can be even more costs at closing. These may include property taxes and assessments.

It is vital that you contact a mortgage lender and get pre-qualified prior to searching for a new home. One main benefit is the ability to search with confidence within the range that you know you can afford and be approved for. Getting approved for a loan also takes quite a bit of time, so it is best to get this out of the way as soon as possible.

Know what kinds of housing to expect in the neighborhood you are hoping to move to. This is essential, because you might not want to buy the best and biggest home there. The smaller houses will always keep your property somewhat stunted in equity.

If you have already been approved for a loan, it may entice sellers a little more. Holding off on a mortgage approval lengthens any buying process and extending that can grow expensive.

If you are investing in foreclosure properties, consider hiring an attorney that specializes in real estate. Unexpected complications are especially troublesome in foreclosure-related deals, and consulting a legal professional should be considered. You could save a lot later on because of this.

Consider the long term picture when you are shopping for a new home. You might not have children right now, but if you are going to stay in this house for a long time and you will one day want kids, you should check out the schools that are in the area and make sure you would want your future kids to go there.

Don't hire a real estate appraiser who has less than five years of experience. Never hire the appraiser recommended by your real estate agent. You might have a conflict of interest in this situation. Verify that the appraiser working for you is licensed or certified by the state.

Take somebody along with you that knows what they are doing to check out the house for things that you might not see or think to check. Do this even if you are buying the home as a single individual. By taking along someone who has no ownership interest in the property, they can look at the property from a bystanders point of view and may notice faults in the property that you may not have noticed. You can even ask them before you arrive to ask things of the realtor as well.

You need to know what resources and information is available, and what the actual buying process entails, so use these tips when you plan on buying. The way to really feel comfortable is to understand the process, and know what is coming next, so there are no surprises and things will go smoothly.




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