Fall Home Buying Tips: Ready To Purchase?
November 3, 2022Kim Wirtz: Licensed Real Estate Broker/Agent In Lockport, Illinois
December 22, 2022
First Time Home Buying Tips: How To Find The Best Location
When buying a new home, people often make the expensive mistake of choosing a place with little or no chance of growing in the future. Your home's value will go up or down depending on its location. Kim Wirtz is a licensed Realtor who can help you find the right place for your needs and situation. Call (708) 516-3050 to set an appointment and learn more about the home buying and selling process.
Check out the FAQ section if you have more questions about first time home buying. Also, see our reviews and media page to see the quality of my services.
Top 8 First Time Home Buying Location Tips
Buying a house for the first time is the biggest purchase you'll ever make, and it's similar to buying a car in many ways. You want to find something that is reliable, cheap, and meets all of your needs. For example, if you have a family of four, you probably want to avoid buying a small condo in a high-rise building with no parking.
The best thing about living in America is choosing where you want to live and how much money you want to spend on your new house. The trick is to choose the one that fits your needs the best.
Here are some tips for choosing the best place:
1. Know Your Local Area
The first thing you should do is find out more about the area around you. Whether you live in a small or big town doesn't matter. You may have heard of your neighborhood, but you probably don't know much about it or its history. Now is the time to find out as much as you can about the neighborhood you've chosen.
Start by going to things like festivals and fairs in your area. These are all great ways to get to know people in your area. Also, try to find out what makes it special and unique. Also, you'll have fun doing it!
2. Think About Your Commute
Before looking for a house, you should consider how you will get there. For example, if you drive to work every day, you should look for a house near your workplace.
A good rule of thumb is to spend at most 20 minutes each way on your commute. If it does, you should move or look for a job closer. But if your commute is less than 10 minutes each way, this could be a great way to save money on gas and other costs.
Cost Of Living
3. Check Costs Of Living
When looking for a home on sale, the cost of living is one of the most important things to consider. Not only must your budget account for the mortgage, but you must also consider utilities, insurance, and taxes.
The best way to find out how much it will cost to live in a specific area is to look through its public records database. This can tell you how much the average owner pays in property taxes and insurance, as well as the crime rate in the area.
Before buying a house in your new city, renting an apartment or condo for at least six months is best. So you can get a feel for what it's like to live there.
4. Look At Schools Nearby
The school district is the next most important thing to consider when buying a house. You don't want to buy a house far from good schools. But if the house is in a place with many other things to do, it might be worth it.
For example, you could live in a suburb where the only things going on are the high school and maybe a mall or restaurant. If you want more, think about moving to a city or town.
If you have kids and you're buying your first home, you'll need to consider where they'll go to school. You want to avoid buying a house to find out that the kids go to a bad high school or live far from their friends.
5. Look For Parks
Parks can make your neighborhood look better and are fun for the whole family. Look for parks with playgrounds, tennis courts, basketball courts, baseball diamonds, and soccer fields, among other things. These are great places to hang out with your family and meet new people in your area.
6. Check Out The Crime Rate
You must know what kind of neighborhood you're moving into. You don't want to live where crime has gone up or there are always police cars driving around. If you live in such a dangerous area, the value of your home will go down over time because no one wants to live there.
If you can, try to find out if there have been any crimes in the area you want to move to in the last few years. If there have been break-ins or thefts in the area recently, don't even think about buying a house there!
7. Learn About Property Taxes
Check the local tax rates before you buy something. These rates vary a lot based on where you live and what kind of property you want to buy. Also, it's essential to know that many mortgages require owners insurance. Depending on how much coverage lenders want, it can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to the cost of the car each year.
8. Shopping And Entertainment Options
You should be able to relax and enjoy life in your backyard. It should also have a variety of places to shop and have fun, so you don't have to go far to get what you need. Having children makes this even more critical. If you have teenagers, you must give them places to hang out with friends.
You can make an informed decision about where to buy a house by following these tips for buying your first home. It's also a good idea to check out each possible neighborhood in person to see if it's right for you. With some research and thought, you should be able to find the perfect house that meets all of your needs and wants.
Things To Consider For First Time Home Buyers
Purchasing a home is a significant investment. It's likely the most expensive thing you'll ever buy. Because of this, the process can be nerve-wracking, especially if you're a first-time buyer. Luckily, I’m here to help. Below are the things to consider to ensure your first purchase is successful.
First Time Home Buying For Home Buyers
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Get Pre-Approved For A Mortgage Loan
This is an essential first step. Getting pre-approved means knowing how much you can afford to spend on a home. This way, you can narrow your search that fit your budget.
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Do Your Research
Once you have a budget in mind, start researching the different types of homes and neighborhoods that fit your budget and needs. Pay attention to things like crime rates, commute times, schools in the area, etc.
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Find A Good Real Estate Agent
An excellent real estate agent can help you navigate finding and purchasing a home. They can offer guidance and advice along the way.
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Attend Open Houses
If you're looking for a certain type of property, it's best to go to an open house instead of relying on newspaper ads or online search results. So, you can see the property in person before deciding whether it's right for you.
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Be Prepared For Unexpected Costs
Other costs come with owning a home in addition to your monthly mortgage payment. This includes things like insurance, property taxes, and maintenance & repairs. Make sure you have enough saved up to cover these additional costs.
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Have Realistic Expectations
Owning a home is a big investment, and it can be challenging. Be prepared for unplanned repairs, deferred maintenance, and noisy neighbors.
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Don't Be Afraid To Negotiate
When making an offer on a home, don't be afraid to try and negotiate the price down. With some negotiating, you can save yourself some money.
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Get A Home Inspection
Before making an offer on a home, it's essential to get it inspected by a professional. This will help you find any problems that could cause you to spend more money in the future.
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Close On The Right Day Of The Month
Pay attention to which day it falls when closing your new house. Completing your home at the end of the month could help you save money on your following monthly bills. This is because your utility's billing cycle will start the same day as your closing date.
Think about this information when deciding if the property is right for you. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Experience is the best teacher, as the old saying goes. Find the best real estate agents in your area by researching and making an effort.
Over 60% of first-time home buyers have to settle for less than what they want because they need to learn more. Kim Wirtz has helped many people find their dream homes. I'll work with you to make sure you make the best choice for your money. Contact me at (708) 516-3050, and I'll help you avoid making mistakes that will cost you money.
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Kim Wirtz
Real Estate Agent and Realtor – Contact Me
My success in real estate is attributed to experience, professionalism, and commitment to service in many areas throughout Northern Illinois. I have been a licensed REALTOR® since 1992. I possess an extensive knowledge of the many cities and towns I service. I share that knowledge with my clients in an effort to make their home buying or selling experience a comfortable one.
I take pride in my attention to detail and put all my efforts into understanding the needs of my clients. I constantly educate myself on the latest trends in the marketplace. It is my goal to extend the “royal treatment” to my clients all the time. Every telephone call or email received by me is returned in a very timely manner. I extend, prompt, courteous and professional service to all.
Buying or selling a home should be a memorable and pleasant experience. Real estate is one of the most exciting investments one can make. I promise to be here for all of my clients in any way possible in order to assure a very pleasant experience. I treat my clients as my friends.
