11 Tips for First-Time Homebuyers
- Be choosy, but be realistic at the same time. There is no perfect home.
- Do your footwork before you start looking. Decide specifically what features you want in a home and which are most important to you.
- Get your finances in order. Review your credit report and be sure you have enough money to cover your downpayment and your closing costs.
- Don't wait to get a loan. Talk to a lender and get prequalified for a mortgage before you start looking.
- Once you know what price range you can afford, review the list of must-have features for your home. Will they all be available?
Should you consider building equity in a "starter home" or condo first?
- Decide when you could move. When is your lease up? Are you allowed to sublet? How tight is the rental market in your area?
- Don't ask too many people for opinions. It will drive you crazy. Select one or two people to turn to if you feel you need a second opinion.
- Think long-term. Are you looking for a starter house with the idea of moving up in a few years or do you hope to stay in this home longer? This decision may dictate what type of home you'll buy as well as the type of mortgage terms that suit you best.
- Don't let yourself be "house poor". If you max yourself out to buy the biggest home you can afford, you'll have no money left for maintenance or decoration or to save money for other financial goals.
- Make sure you do a whole house inspection, and ask the seller to clear pest. It's also a good idea to ask the seller to provide a warranty from the seller to cover defects within one year.
- Get help. Consider hiring a Realtor® as a buyer's representative. Unlike a listing agent, whose first duty is to the seller, a buyer's representative is working only for you. And often, buyer's reps are paid out of the seller's commission payment.