Friday 6 May 2016

Common Mistakes To Avoid When Shopping For New Homes

Owning your own home offers a number of benefits over renting. Not only does becoming a homeowner give you a sense of pride and a feeling of community, but it can also be a smart investment for your financial future. All you need is Austin home builders

Before you jump in and sign on the dotted line, however, it is important to take a step back and prepare yourself for the home buying process. This article looks at some of the most common mistakes to avoid when shopping for new homes so you can get a great deal on the home of your dreams.

Mistake #1 - Not Knowing Your Financial Limits

One of the very first things you need to do before you even begin looking at homes is to sit down and determine how much you can truly afford to spend. There are many hidden expenses associated with buying a home. These expenses can be easy to overlook.

When figuring your budget, don't forget to include extras like closing costs, private mortgage insurance, homeowners' insurance, maintenance and repairs, HOA dues, garbage pickup and utilities and property taxes. Combined, all of these factors can increase your monthly expenses by hundreds of dollars. After crunching the numbers, you may find that you need to take out a smaller mortgage to be able to comfortably afford the payments.

Mistake # 2 - Not Keeping An Open Mind

When you start touring homes, it is easy to get caught up in the surface details such as the color of the carpeting or the pattern of the wallpaper in the kitchen. In the whole scheme of things, these small details don't matter. It is far more important to focus on larger factors such as the location of the home, the size and layout of the rooms and the potential resale value of the property. Try to see past the cosmetic details and focus on the larger picture instead.

Mistake # 3 - Not Getting Pre-approved For A  Loan

Even in a sluggish housing market, good deals often go quickly. If you aren't pre-approved for a loan, you may miss out on your dream home by not being able to make an offer quickly enough. Not only that, but most home sellers won't take you seriously if you don't have financing to back up your offer. Additionally, pre-approval can help you know your limitations in terms of how much home you can afford. This can keep you from wasting time looking at houses that are outside of your price range.

During the pre-approval process, a lender will evaluate factors such as your credit rating, income level and assets to determine how much money they are willing to lend you. Having a pre-approval letter in hand can help improve your chances of getting the home you want.

Shopping for new homes can be a fun and rewarding process as long as you avoid some of the most common home buying mistakes. By setting a realistic budget, keeping an open mind when looking at properties and getting pre-approved for a home loan, you can improve your chances of getting a great deal on a home that will more than meet your needs.