sâmbătă, 1 martie 2014

How To Get Real Estate Advice For Buyers

By Charmaine Foreman


Homeownership is a dream that many people have. Many people like the security of having a home that belongs to them and not a landlord. Owning a home may also be a good investment in some cases, if the value of the home goes up after you purchase it. Before you begin to look for a place, you should always look for real estate advice for buyers.

When purchasing a home, most people need to get a mortgage from their bank or a lending agency. It is important to remember that there are different types of mortgage products available, so you need to do your research and know the difference before you commit to a mortgage. Some mortgages are adjustable rate mortgages, meaning that the interest rate can change depending on the market, while others are fixed rate, meaning you can lock in a certain interest rate for five years or more and it will not increase, even if the market rate does.

The second thing to consider is how good your credit rating currently is. Make sure that your credit history has nothing questionable or outstanding in it. Since you will probably need to apply for a mortgage in order to purchase a home, your credit is important. Banks and lending agencies will be looking into your financial records, so you should get a copy of your credit report to ensure that the facts listed there are correct and fix any discrepancies.

It is also important that you only buy a home that you can honestly afford. The general rule is that you can purchase a home that is approximately two and a half times your annual household salary. You will need to calculate your income versus your debts and living expenses to determine how much you can afford.

You will also need to make a down payment when buying a home. Sometimes lenders will allow you to make a small down payment if you do not have the full twenty percent payment which they typically require. You will need to be careful, however, since normally customers are charged higher interest rates for not making a large enough down payment.

It is important that you examine your budget carefully and determine how much house you can afford. Most lenders recommend that you spend no more than thirty percent of your income on housing costs. Spending more than this puts you at risk of not saving enough for future goals, such as retirement.

You should also try to hire a home inspector before you buy a place. Most lenders will require that the home be appraised before they approve the mortgage. The surveyor can point out any potential problems that may arise in the house which may require repairs in the future. It is normally a good idea to hire an engineer with experience in home surveys to do the appraisal.

Choose your agent carefully. Do not choose an agent who does not have the proper licensing requirements. Speak to relatives and friends who own homes and ask them for their recommendations of who the best realtors are.




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