Are you thinking of buying a home? Well, what are you waiting for? Let's work together to start planning your future. We would like to help you do what I do best -- find the perfect home for you. Here are a couple of questions you might think about before we meet.
Are you ready to buy a home? Some factors to consider when preparing to buy a home are whether or not you have a steady source of income and if you have been employed on a regular basis for the last few years. Also, determine how much money you have saved for a down payment and what would be a realistic amount of money that you could spend on a mortgage each month. There are additional expenses such as closing costs, taxes, insurance and home owners' association fees that we should calculated as well. I can help you do this. Let's schedule a meeting.
We should investigate the maximum loan amount that you would be able to afford in order to establish the price range of houses to consider. Lenders calculate your debt-to-income ratio, which is a comparison of your expenses to your gross (pre-tax) income. Monthly mortgage payments should total no more than 29% of your gross income, while the mortgage payment, combined with other long-term debts (such as car payments) should not exceed 41% of your gross income. The lender will also take into consideration your credit history and cash available for a down payment when determining your maximum loan amount.
Once we have agreed on the price range of homes to look at, next we should discuss your needs. Think about where you would like to live and how much space you would like to have. I suggest driving through neighborhoods you are considering and attend local open houses to get an idea of what you want. When deciding on possible locations, think about distance to your job, schools, family, etc. It's best to make a list of your priorities, such as location, size, and amenities. Determine the minimum requirements that the house must have for you to consider it as well as a wish list of perks you would like it to have.
We are dedicated to meeting your needs and the more information you can share with us, the better we can serve you. Please contact us at 619-994-4698 or waltandnicole@lthomes.net to schedule an appointment so we can discuss more about your dream home.
Buying Tips -
I would like to share some ideas with you about finding your future home, including information on deciding on a community to live in and what to look for during a walk-through.
When determining the neighborhood you would like to live in, please consider its location approximate to your job as well as schools, public transportation, shopping, museums, theaters and other attractions that might interest you. Drive around the neighborhood and talk to residents. Can you picture yourself happily living here? Most importantly, choose a community where you feel comfortable.
Once you have narrowed your search to a particular area, contact the local chamber of commerce for promotional literature about the community. I also suggest visiting the local library as it is a wonderful source for information on local events. I can give you information about the local schools. Please visit my website at [[Website URL]].
One of the questions I often get is whether or not it is best to buy a new home. There are pros and cons to new homes as well as old. Newer homes are usually easier to maintain and more energy efficient. Older homes generally have lower property taxes and are in more established neighborhoods. On the other hand, older homes are likely to require more repairs and upkeep.
It is best to evaluate each house based on what it has to offer. There are many things to look for when walking through a home, including the following:
Is the construction quality up to your standards?
Is there enough space for the present and the future?
Does it have the desired number of bedrooms and bathrooms?
Are you happy with the lot size?
Do you like the floor plan?
Does it include all of the minimum amenities for your lifestyle?
Will your furniture fit in the space?
Is there enough storage space?
I will help point out the pros and cons of each home from a professional standpoint. Once we weed out the homes that do not interest you, we should consider the details of the ones you like, including the amount of work that needs to be done if you purchase the home. It is best to determine if all of the mechanical systems and appliances work. Does anything need to be repaired or replaced? Find out if the seller will do these things or offer an allowance for the buyer to do them. If you are happy with the details, we should go back to the final contestants for a second look. This will help us select the perfect home for you. On average, homebuyers walk through fifteen houses before selecting one.
The more you keep me updated with your needs, the better I can assist you. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. I can be reached at 619-994-4698 and waltandnicole@lthomes.net.