Rosie on the House: Considerations for first-time homebuyers

Answer: First of all, congratulations! This is a huge step toward solidifying your future both financially and physically.

Buying your first home can be exciting and probably a touch scary, as well.

Assuming you have saved for a down payment and have been smart in establishing great credit, these aspects of buying your first home are important to consider as you move through the home-buying process.

Start by establishing a plan for your hard-earned money. Mortgage payments naturally top the list, and knowing the amount of your savings will help you establish home affordability. Other costs will also come into play in the budget. Closing costs are the money you need in addition to your down payment. They include loan and title fees, for example.

Home insurance, which insures the mortgage, needs to be included. This can be predetermined and is typically included in your mortgage payment. Probable energy and utility costs for the home need to be factored in. Electric, gas, water, sewer and trash are necessary basic monthly expenses and vary from location to location. Some research to determine the average expenses in the area you plan to buy will be important. Maintenance costs for HVAC, plumbing, electrical systems, and so forth need to be factored in. Don’t skimp on the research. Move forward with your eyes wide open. Seek professional help if you are unsure. Your home inspection report will be a good starting point in establishing what will be needed.

These blogs on RosieOnTheHouse.com are chock full of helpful information that will help you review your ability to make monthly payments:

Budgeting for home maintenance: tucne.ws/1m0m

What are my options when it comes to financing a home?: tucne.ws/1mvh

Dos and don’ts when applying for a mortgage: tucne.ws/1mvi

This will give you more time to build equity. The emotional component of buying your first home is a major factor in your decision-making. Home equity increases are almost like icing on the cake. Because housing markets can fluctuate wildly, as they have over the past several years, look at cost trends. This will help you make sound decisions regarding timing. Remember, you need to look at the long-term benefits of building equity. Long-term investing 10 to 20 years down the road should enter your investment planning. It is impossible to be sure what the home’s value will be when you decide to sell, but you will know something about how your monthly payments will impact the buildup in equity.

When shopping for your first home, think beyond your current needs. A typical first-time buyer tends to be younger than a second or third-time buyer. Whether you are single or have a partner, you need to plan for the future. Think about your personal goals. Consider if you want room for a family, a home office for a future business, or both. Ask yourself if the house you are looking for is expandable. You need to consider your future needs and whether the home can be updated to meet them. This blog about setbacks and easements will be handy in this area: tucne.ws/1mvj.

Growing into the home is a wonderful way to develop the asset. If you are looking to incorporate a business (i.e., operate a business out of your home), you will need to verify that the local zoning and HOA will allow it. While you are checking out those facets, inquire about the future plans for the area, such as development. What project is the city contemplating that might affect you, such as roads and zoning changes? Contact the municipalities the house is located in to find out.

You will be far ahead if you work with a real estate agent. A good agent can help guide you in the right direction, saving you countless hours of looking for homes in all the wrong places. A real estate agent will help you confirm or even establish a realistic budget tailored to you. Their expertise will save you money in the long run. An agent can also help with negotiations in ways you may not think of. As always, do your homework in making this important selection.

Before shopping for a home, take the time to engage a lending company that will look at all your information and establish an amount of the mortgage you qualify for. This smart move will help you in several ways. It will help you focus on a home price you can afford. This saves you from finding a home you love, only to be heartbroken when you find out you can’t qualify for the mortgage. With this letter, you are focused. Time savings in the closing process is huge when you have this letter in hand. Weeks can be saved.

Don’t commit until you are sure. Be sure your eyes are wide open. When it comes time to make that written offer, you must be committed. Second thoughts that might make you back out can be costly. Typically, when you make an offer, you will provide earnest money. You run the risk of losing those dollars should you back out.

This is an exciting time. With good planning, it can be a great experience. We would love to hear about your first-time buying stories, good and bad. Drop us a line at [email protected].