3 Things to Do When Preparing to Buy Your First Home
Do you hope to be purchasing a home in the next year or two? It’s important to start preparing for your first home purchase as far in advance as possible. Here are 3 things to check off your to-do before stalking homes on Zillow for hours.
Meet with a real estate agent
Meet with an agent and ask them to explain the home buying process to you, step by step. You can read articles on this all day, but having a professional who does this everyday walk you through what it looks like is extremely beneficial. (P.S. Ask me – I’d love to meet for coffee and go over the process.)
Talk to a lender
After talking with an agent, you’ll want to speak with a lender as well. Your agent will be able to refer you to someone, or you can find someone on your own. The lender will help you understand your qualifications and what you can afford now. They will help you to get your finances in order and get you on track to be able to afford your dream home when you are ready.
Build up your credit and savings
Your lender will tell you this, but it’s important to start building up your credit and savings so you can get the best deal on a loan possible. The higher the credit score and the more money you can put down, the better.
Not sure where to begin? Message me and [ ___I’ll forward you a copy of my first time home buyer guide, we can meet up to discuss the process, I can help answer any questions you may have___].
Signs of Damage in a House
It’s so easy to get distracted by the cute barn doors, the recessed lighting, and the shiplap walls – that we miss the water damage on the roof! Luckily, the inspection period is written in the contract to give buyers a chance to hire an inspector to assess the property. However, it’s important to know the signs that something may be wrong before getting too invested in a home. Here are some signs that there may be big problems with a house.
Signs of roof damage:
- Cupped, curled or warped shingles
- Lots of shingle granules in the gutters
- Cracked or broken tiles
- Missing sections
- Mismatched roof sections
- Ceiling stains
- Sagging roof deck
Signs of foundation damage:
- Visible cracks in exterior or interior
- Door jams/doors not shutting
- Gaps on top of doors when closed
- Windows not square
- Wall corners not square
- Cracks in driveway or sidewalks
- Drainage not pointing away from the house
- Large trees with roots close to foundation
Signs of water/mold damage:
- Water stains on ceilings and walls
- Cracks around windows
- Bowed roof
- Visible mold
- Musty smell
- Missing caulking or tile in baths
- No bathroom vents
- Wood rot around doors and trim
- Peeling paint
Signs of electrical damage:
- Exposed wires
- Warm outlets
- Damaged or rusted electric panel
Signs of plumbing damage:
- Water stains in sinks, toilets, bath
- Low water pressure
- Screeching when turning on/off
- Slow drains
- Bad odors from sinks
A good real estate agent will be able to help you catch these things. Ready to start looking for homes? Contact me today and let’s get started!
