Tim and I are a little behind when it comes to home buying. Most of our friends have entered the grown up chapter where they talk about mortages and property taxes, but we have not. It hasn't been because we didn't want to have a house, but it came down to the fact that we haven't been somewhere long enough to put down roots. This is not the case for Philadelphia. We plan on being here awhile since Tim is on that stressful, but hopefully, fulfilling tenure track at his university.
So, give us your advice as we start this journey. We are at the VERY beginning where we are assessing needs and costs and location and blah, blah, blah. We really want your advice. Maybe what you wish you had known. Maybe what is the most important thing that helped you make your decision. Anything.
7 comments:
The largest item I've ever purchased was my car. It's silver. I've really enjoyed it...so if you find a silver house, I say go for it. Hope that helps!
Well, I would ask myself how much time and/or money do I want to put into maintenence and lawncare, etc. Townhomes are good for that aspect with the maintenence and lawn care usually covered by the homeowners dues. Also, maybe more econnomical since the price of housing is crazy out there compared to good ol' Iowa. Maybe not, though.
HH
Remember to look at the things that can't be changed about the house. Wall paper can be taken down, fixtures can be replaced. Look at the structure and layout of the house.
Whatever you decide to buy, make sure you get a home inspection. A home inspection on our first attempt to buy a home revealed that we were about to buy a money pit. After that experience, we have vowed to always get a home inspection. Spending a few hundred dollars up front could save you thousands down the road.
Here's some advice you haven't gotten yet. Scott and I wish we would have known the cost of landscaping and window treatments. If you can find a house with nice window treatments and decent landscaping you'll save a lot of time and money. Otherwise, figure at least a couple thousand into your loan to help pay for these things. We wish we would have done that!!!
Let me know if you want to talk in person about the areas in which you are looking. It is amazing the difference in prices between towns.
--Dana B.
Absolutely take a first-time homebuyer class, preferably from a neutral party rather than a Realtor. In my class, everything mentioned above came up. ...except for buying a silver house.
Also, when buying, the falacy is that the buyer and seller have a Realtor. The reality is that the seller has two Realtors.
Not that Realtors are all scum, but there's a conflict of interest in both the homebuyers class and in your Realtor helping you get what you should rather than something adequate ASAP. -Kirk
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