If you’re looking to buy a new house, there’s often a deluge of different tasks and steps to purchasing a home you need to remember to do before you make the purchase and move in to your new address.
Here is a simple buying a new home checklist to help you remember all that needs to be done:
– Find a mortgage that fits you: Very few homeowners are able to pay for a house entirely up front. It’s important to look at all your mortgage options and choose which one fits your financial situation best before buying a house. There are several different interest rate and loan type options designed to fit different income levels.
– Get pre-approved: Obtaining pre-approval on your mortgage is something you should do before shopping for houses. It’s an indication to sellers that you’re serious about buying a house.
– Perform a home inspection: Home inspections are recommended before buying a house to ensure the sellers address any damage or issues in the house before closing. Hire a licensed home inspector, preferably one recommended by friends or family.
– Consider what you want in a house: When looking at real estate listings, you should make a list of all the characteristics and features you want in your new house. Only consider buying a house that’s in a neighborhood you’d like to live in, and understand that you might have to sacrifice some of the things on your list in favor of a lower price.
– Avoid buying a house that needs major renovations: If your home inspection reveals the house has major structural damage or other issues, ask yourself if the effort and cost of renovation is worth it. Buying a house that needs massive repairs and remodeling can become a major hidden cost in addition to the house’s selling price.
Buying a house can be a stressful, hectic experience — but it doesn’t have to be! By making a checklist, you’ll be able to remember everything you need to do as you move in to your new house. Good references here.