Do you smell that? It’s the blooming flowers outside and the unique sweetness of warmth and sunlight—and maybe a little pollen, too.But hey, we’ll take it if it means winter is retreating for the year. And now that the weather is turning up for spring, you might be considering pulling the trigger on that home purchase you’ve been dreaming of for so many years.The process of finding and closing on your first home is an exhilarating and profound one. There’s a distinct before and after that cannot be understated. That’s why you want to make sure to do due diligence, make the right decisions, and minimize any regrets associated with this otherwise wonderful occasion.Go Store It understands the anxiety you may feel, and we’ve compiled some tips for the first-time homebuyer. We hope our checklist for buying a home provides the insight and confidence you need to avoid common first-time homebuyer mistakes and maximize your chances of thriving in this endeavor!
Where do you start? To be honest with you, there’s a lot of ground to cover—much more than we can cover in a single article. However, we think we’ve done a good job of detailing the essentials, so let’s jump into those.
When it comes to purchasing a home, there are many decisions to make along the way. One of the most important and potentially confusing steps is analyzing your mortgage options and seeing how your credit scores could limit or open up the possibilities you’re allowed to consider. Here are a few tips that can help you make an informed decision when studying the market for mortgages and checking credit scores before buying a home.Start by comparing various mortgage options from different lenders, taking into account any loans you may pursue and related interest rates. Research interest rates as well as loan terms, such as fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgages. Make sure to inquire about any potential fees associated with each option so you have an accurate comparison of costs. Additionally, ask questions about prequalification requirements and down payment amounts to determine what mortgage best suits your circumstances.
Before signing any paperwork, it is important to understand how much you are willing and able to invest in your new home. Underestimating your income versus payment ratios is a fatal first-time homebuyer mistake. Calculating costs is essential for making informed decisions regarding such a significant purchase. This is something you could potentially be paying off for the next 30 years, so do not go into it casually.Creating a budget helps ensure that no surprises arise after closing on the property. It allows prospective buyers to review all associated expenses such as taxes, insurance, and mortgage payments before signing on the dotted line. On top of this, calculating costs will allow buyers to allocate funds appropriately for additional expenses like furnishings or renovations if needed.By calculating cost and savings prior to making an offer on a house, first-time homebuyers can avoid financial pitfalls down the road while staying within their means when buying a new home.
We’ve drawn attention to the importance of research in homebuying, but we can’t put too fine a point on how useful it is at every stage of the process. Researching the types of properties available and their locations can help you make an informed decision about which home is right for you. Knowing what type of home you are looking for—whether it’s a single-family home, condo, or townhouse with a garage—can help narrow down your search and make it easier to find the perfect property. Additionally, researching the location of each property can give insight into other important details such as school districts, local businesses, and public transportation options.Not only will researching different types of properties and their locations save time, but it can also save money in the long run (imagine how much you’d save on a three-minute commute). Taking time to familiarize yourself with market trends in different areas can help you determine where best to invest your money in order to get the most bang for your buck.
Negotiating offers and inspections of the property beforehand are essential for making sure you get the most out of your home purchase.Things to know as a first-time homebuyer: First, as we’ve already partially covered, be sure to research market trends and other information about the area you want to buy in so you can better understand what type of offer makes sense. Make sure both parties agree on all aspects of the inspection process, including what is being inspected and who will pay for it. Sometimes this means talking to the seller about them completing renovations if they want to sell the home to you or making sure the inspector doesn’t find some crippling problem, like a cracked foundation.Secondly, if possible, bring an expert with you (like the aforementioned inspector) when viewing potential houses. This could help identify issues that might not be immediately obvious to homebuyers.
Here’s what you need to know as a first-time homebuyer: Paperwork is your most essential adversary. From signing contracts and submitting loan applications to tracking closing costs and understanding insurance policies, it can seem like an intimidating mountain to climb. But don’t panic! Here are some tried-and-true tips for handling paperwork on your first home.Start by organizing all documents related to your purchase in one central location. This should include any communications from your real estate agent, lender, or title company. Once everything is organized, take time to review each document thoroughly and ask questions if there’s anything you don’t understand. It’s important that you know exactly what your responsibilities are before signing any agreement.
With warmer weather comes bold life moves. Winter is on its way out, and you’re moving in—or at least, that’s the plan, if you can just figure out where to put that spare dresser.By the time you’ve closed on a home, you’ve already dealt with quite a bit of stress (and probably lost at least a few hours of sleep), and you deserve to feel reassured that at least one part of the process is easy. That’s what Go Store It offers you for all the belongings that need a temporary home.Between our security surveillance and elevated customer service, we intend to provide the best care possible. So if you’re looking to put away that sentimental dining table for a few months while you shuffle your new home into place or you want to stow away your winter decorations until next season, we’ve got you covered. From 5x5s to 10x30s, we have all your sizing needs (exact offerings vary between locations). Give one of our professionals a call to start putting plans together to save space and make your move easier! Find your nearest location and get started by renting a storage unit online today.
