“Purchased with common sense, paid for in full, and managed with reasonable care, it is about the safest investment in the world” – Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Owning your home is the American Dream. There are few other investment opportunities in which you can put a small amount of the total value down and still reap 100% of the profit. Real estate has always been the investment of the common man, and owning your own home is one of the most significant milestones a person can achieve – but it doesn’t come easily. Buying a home is a huge commitment which should not be taken lightly. If you’re thinking about buying a home, there are a few things to consider:
You Can’t Divorce Your House
If you realize that your marriage is no longer working, you can start the legal proceedings to divorce. You don’t have to find a potential suitor to take over the responsibility of your spouse, after all, that’s not your problem. A house, on the other hand, is very much your problem, at least until you can find someone who wants to take it off your hands. This can be problematic, especially if the market isn’t doing so well or there are any issues with the home that need to be fixed before a new buyer will touch it.
You Are On Your Own
When you buy a house, you are entirely responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of that property. Anything that needs attention, be it a leaky roof, frozen pipes or natural disasters. As a homeowner, you cannot call the landlord if the HVAC stops working in the middle of July, or if the pipes freeze in December.
You Can’t Turn Back Time
Have you ever heard the phrase ‘It’s better to do it right, than right away?’. When purchasing a home it can be easy to get swept away in the excitement, but all of that excitement doesn’t help you make smart decisions. It is important that when you find the house you want, you take your time to research the area it’s in, the values of comparable homes and the condition. If you are working with an agent, don’t be afraid to ask them questions about the house prices, and don’t be afraid to negotiate. Realizing you’ve paid too much for a home, or that it has significant issues, is not fun – You can’t turn back time.
You Have To Know Your Budget
Buying a house is almost always the single biggest purchase any person will make. Before you start looking for your dream home, it is imperative that you speak to a trusted lender and get pre-approved for your loan. By getting pre-approved, not only will you be more competitive in a buyers market, but you will also know what you can afford. Owning a home is an ongoing expense, from property taxes to insurance payments and utilities, your budget can quickly become stretched. Understanding the affordability of a house before you buy it is non-negotiable if you don’t want any nasty surprises.
You Have To Shop Around
Not all mortgages are created equally. What may be a fantastic deal for one person could be terrible for another; it all depends on your individual circumstance. Having a knowledgable lender who understands your financial situation and can educate you on the mortgage products available goes a long way when buying a home. Shopping around for a mortgage ensures that you are giving yourself the best chance at getting a deal that you can afford and are happy with.