Buying a home is high on the list of 'stressful life events.'

I bought my first home by myself in 2009 and it was such a stressful process that it literally made me sick.  I came down with the shingles the month I bought my house!  I had no idea what the heck was wrong with me, but when I got to the hospital they knew right away and said it was brought on by stress.  Crazy, right?

So, let's try to keep the stress levels at bay with some helpful tips when it comes to buying a home.

  1. Know what your budget is.  Work with a Realtor to determine how much you can comfortably spend, then start looking at houses in that price range.  By the way, you don't have to buy a home that is at the top of your price range.  That's just a guideline to tell you the most you can afford, but life will be much easier if you don't max out the house budget.
  2. Location is important!  Many things to think about here like: are you alright with living on a main road?  Would you prefer a quiet neighborhood?  Is the school system in the area a good one?  Are you close to the highway?  All important things to consider before signing on that dotted line (a million times over...you wouldn't believe the paperwork you have to sign on closing day!).
  3. Please, please, please get a home inspection!  I know it's an extra fee that you'd rather avoid, but trust me, it is worth it!  The house could look like a perfect gem, but there could be underlying problems that you wouldn't know about unless you got a home inspection.  Think termites.  You might not see 'em, but an inspector would know if the home has them.  Termites can cause thousands of dollars in damage! That's just one of many problems you could face by not getting a home inspection, so please just do it.
  4. Ask questions!  Your Realtor is working for YOU.  They are getting a commission on the home you are buying, so ask away!  No question is stupid, ask as many questions you can think of.  After all, buying a home is a long term investment!
  5. Don't settle.  Go with your gut when it comes to picking the right house for you.  I looked at SO MANY homes before finding the right one for me.  So many, that I thought there just wasn't a right one for me!  There is, you just have to find it.  So keep on looking, you'll find what you want and can afford.  If you settle, just to get into something, you'll regret it.

When it's time to start looking for a home, make sure you've found a great Realtor.  The folks at Alferes Realty are here for you!  Contact them with any questions you have about the home buying process, they'll be sure to steer you in the right direction of home ownership!

 

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