WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING YOUR DREAM HOME -- PART 2

WHAT BUYERS ARE THINKING BEFORE BUYING

By Stephanie Woods

Here at the Stephanie Woods Team we would like to share some ideas a buyer should consider before buying your dream home. In this 4 part series our hope is to help your home buying experience become an educated and exciting one!

When to invest in a house, how do you know when you're ready to own a home?

Home ownership means you no longer pay monthly rent for the roof over your head. You can do what you want with your house (within reason). When you leave, you can sell it to recoup the purchase price and earn a profit too.

So before going any further, consider whether your lifestyle and finances make home buying a smart move.

HOW FAR DO I WANT TO COMMUTE--When you purchase a home, you're buying shelter, a lifestyle, a community....and a commute. Before you write an offer, you might want to make a "dry run" from the property to your office during commuting hours to see if you can stomach the experience and the cost. If gassing up twice a week and jacking up your blood pressure twice a day isn't your style, think again before moving too far from your workplace.

     WHAT CAN WE AFFORD INCLUDING TAXES AND INSURANCE--See what you can afford. Use Bankrate’s  mortgage calculator to see what your payment would be.  Find out what your total monthly housing cost would be, including taxes and homeowners insurance. To get a feel for the maximum amount you should spend, including taxes and insurance, use this Real Estate's home affordability calculator. To get an idea of what you'll pay in insurance, pick a property in the area where you want to live and make a call to a local insurance agent for an estimate. You won't be obligated to get the insurance, but you'll have a good idea of what you'll pay if you buy. For an idea of what you'll pay in taxes, Zillow publishes property-tax information for homes all over the country.

    

WHAT ARE SCHOOLS, SHOPPING CRIME LIKE IN THIS AREA--- Buy in a district with good schools. In most areas, this advice applies even if you don't have school-age children. Reason: When it comes time to sell, you'll learn that strong school districts are a top priority for many home buyers, thus helping to boost property values.

 

Here at The Stephanie Woods Team we would love to help you buy your dream home! Call us at 928-237-4455 and one of our qualified licensed agents will happily show you some spectacular properties!

Interested in selling your home? List with The Stephanie Woods Team! We will come to your home and give a free consultation on your property! Call 928-237-4435 and we will set up an appointment that is convenient for you!

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