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Homebuying 101
Some general tips to be aware of when starting down the road to Home Buying.
Enjoy Yourself
It doesn’t take long to learn that there’s nothing in the world like the satisfaction and excitement that comes from owning a brand new home. After all, this is a big investment. More times than not, purchasing a home is the biggest investment a person makes in their lifetime, and you deserve nothing less than the very best. Take pride in your accomplishment – this is a big moment to be enjoyed!
Location, Location, Location
How many times have you heard this cliche? Make sure you are very comfortable with the location of your new home. Location is perhaps the most important aspect of new home buying. Before you purchase a home, be sure to familiarize yourself with the neighborhood. Look at how your potential new neighbors take care of their lawn and property, is the neighborhood as a whole well taken care of? How far do you have to travel to get to work, transportation or shopping spots? Will your new home be in a good school district? Will there be entertainment and recreational facilities nearby like movie theaters and restaurants? It’s very important to take these factors into consideration when deciding where to buy.
Shop Around For Movers If You Plan To Move Yourself
If you plan on hiring a mover, interview and get at least three estimates. That way you can compare to see who has the best price. You’ll be surprised at how much you can save by comparing instead of deciding on the first offer. Again, do your homework.
Make Sure That All Parties Are Aware Of Your New Address
Immediately have the post office forward your mail before you move! Generally, the post office will forward mail for about 1 year. Don’t forget to inform your bank, your credit card companies (you don’t want to be charged a late fee for not getting that payment in on time), the IRS and/or other financial institutions about your change. If you’re moving from state to state, check with the DMV to change your car registration and address – don’t forget that new driver’s license picture that always turns out so nice!
Know Emergency And Important Phone Numbers
Keep in a safe place all of the important numbers in your area and keep that list next to your phone and make sure that everyone in your family knows where it is. Check also with your realtor, they may have these numbers already in their database where they can easily give you a copy. I keep an ongoing list of numbers for this very reason for my clients.
Know Routes To Hospitals, Dr.’s Office and Medical Facilities
Can’t stress this enough, but always know where the nearest hospital is and the quickest way o get there. Take the time to map out an effective route to the closest medical facility, hospital and your doctor’s office. This is even more important if you have small children or an elderly parent/relative living with you.
Familiarize Yourself With Your New Covenants and Get To Know Your New Neighbors
If you are buying in a community with covenants, don’t put them in a folder and file away – Read them carefully with a highlighter in hand. Know them like the back of your hand. These are the regulations, procedures and practices of your new neighborhood. It’s also a good thing to introduce yourself to your new neighbor, especially the ones closest around you. You never know when you might need a helping hand.
Author bio:
Pat Minter, a Real Estate Broker with Keller Williams Realty in Charlotte, NC, and is an expert specializing in first time, move-up and relocation buyers. Pat also works with new construction and custom homebuilders. Pat is a 15-year resident of Charlotte and an Oklahoma transplant; Pat Minter can be reached at 704-562-7510 or http://www.BestCarolinaHousing.com
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