First Time Home Buyer

Insight Tips for first time Home Buyers
Insight inspection services specializing in first time home buyers

1.  Lay the groundwork. The first step is figuring out how much house you can afford and how much you can borrow. Housing prices can change dramatically from province to province and even city to city. You might also want to talk to friends/family or colleagues in the area about neighbourhoods and other considerations only a local might know.
2.  Take your time. Sometimes, looking on the Web may help in finding the home you want. Many times the dream home is snatched up before getting a chance to check them out. What’s your home worth? Try not to rush. Homes constantly come on (and off) the market. You might not find your dream home, but you don’t have to settle for any old house just because you feel under the gun to buy something.
3.  Realize you won’t find the perfect home. Forget the idea of finding your dream home. It doesn’t exist. You will not find a house that has everything you want, and none of the things you don’t. Real-estate agents tell you to make a list of what’s important to you — size, condition, location, style and price. That way you can zero in on a home that comes closest to suiting your wants and needs.
4. Accompany the Inspector. Most stories on home buying advise you to have a home-inspection clause in your contract, giving you the right to have the property inspected and to withdraw your offer if the inspection report isn’t satisfactory to you for any reason. What these stories often neglect to mention is that you should be present during the inspection. I urge you come on your Insight Home Inspection. You will receive and easy to read, concise inspection but if you’re present during an inspection, you can see problems with your own eyes, get an idea of how serious they are and ask about repairs, maintenance etc.
5.  Pay attention to the little things. Try not to rush to buy a home, be objective during your home search. Pay attention to how a home smells. A strong odor — especially a musty one — can be an indication of a bigger problem such as mold. Don’t think just because the house needs a few minor repairs or new paint on the walls, it will be cheap, quick and easy to tackle. Before you know it, the costs add up, it’s taken a lot more time than expected and you’ve had to call in the experts to finish the jobs you couldn’t handle on your own. I relate of how a car needs maintenance to run smoothly and efficiently, so does a home and property.
6. Be ready to negotiate. Sometimes sellers will lower their price to reflect covering the cost of repairing or replacing the home’s mechanical systems and major appliances.
7. Don’t spend all your money on the down payment. Many times first home buyers become house poor after moving in. If you’re moving into your first home, you’ll have to buy things you never needed before, such as lawn mowers, yard tools and major appliances. You’ll need cash for these purchases unless you’re planning to mire yourself in credit card debt.