Before you look at houses, ask your realtor these questions to narrow down your options. This can ensure you’re ready when you finally find your dream home. At Amare Real Estate Services in Morgan Hill, CA, we know what to ask, so here are 5 questions that we often encounter:
1. What location should I choose?
While this might seem straightforward, choosing a neighborhood can be complicated. It’s also confusing, overwhelming, and stressful. But it doesn’t have to be! If you know what to look for, it’s easy to choose the perfect area. Here are some things to consider, among others:
Your work commute (who wants an hour commute?)
• Quality of school districts (for any current or future kiddos)
• Distance to bars, restaurants, and local shops (so when you get a hankering for your favorite food, it’s just around the corner)
• Road or neighbor noise (we’re all for neighborly love but not hearing them at 2 a.m.)
• Closeness to public transit (who doesn’t want save money while being green?)
It can be hard to find a location that meets every requirement, but your real estate agent has a deeper understanding of your area. So, he or she can point you towards locations that have most of your wish list items.
Without that help, you could miss out on a great neighborhood you never heard of or didn’t think you’d love.
2. What should I look for when touring houses?
As a first-time home buyer, it’s tempting to focus on eye-catching features like stainless steel appliances, on-trend paint colors (classic blue, anyone?), and expensive floors. But, if you only look at those details, you could be missing crucial problems. And, you could end up with a nightmare home, eek. By focusing on the right problems during your house tours, you can avoid the headache of more issues down the road.
3. Do you know a good inspector, appraiser, or lender?
When buying your first home, you rely on a variety of professionals throughout the process. From getting a mortgage loan, to a home inspection, to an appraisal, you’ll need trustworthy professionals. Your real estate agent is a great resource to find high-quality professionals. That way, every step of the home buying process goes smoothly.
4. What expenses should I expect after buying a home?
Buying a home is expensive, we know. After saving up for a down payment, you might think you’re done with home-buying costs. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Along with your down payment, you have to pay closing costs, moving expenses, and even purchase new appliances or furniture. In addition to your mortgage, you’ll need to pay property taxes, utilities, homeowner’s insurance, possibly mortgage insurance, HOA fees, and the list can go on. While this might sound scary, it’s much easier to manage when you have time to save up for it. You should discuss any after-purchase costs with us at Amare, so you know exactly what to expect. That way, you can enjoy living in your new home — instead of being blindsided with costly expenses.
5. What’s resale value like in this neighborhood — and where’s it going?
Since a house will be one of your biggest purchases, you should make sure your home will continue to gain value year over year. Asking us for our take on the neighborhood — now and in the future — can help you make a good investment. Ideally, you want a house that’s located in an area with consistent property value increases. That way, if you decide to sell your home, you can sell it for more than you bought it.
But a neighborhood that has historically performed well could be on the edge of decline. A shifting population, new buildings nearby, or similar events could reduce the future value of your home. If a house is likely to devalue soon, it’s probably best to pass on it.
About Amare Real Estate Services
With more than five decades of cumulative experience, the Amare Real Estate Services team in Morgan Hill, CA, consistently receives top reviews for its over-the-top customer service, follow-through, and professional approach. We play a major role in our clients’ lives and take it seriously. But we also have fun and enjoy our work by creating a family atmosphere with a positive vibe that’s truly contagious.
Sources: Wikipedia and USA Today