Have you been keeping an eye on the market looking for your perfect house? We are sure you have been saving your money for a while and now is the time to take the next step. Here are four things that can help you get through the process and be in the best position to make a winning offer.
Know your budget
The first step you need to do when you are ready to make an offer on a house is to know what you can afford. The best way to do this is to have a conversation with your mortgage broker or financial institution to determine your exact budget. The next step is to get a pre-approval to find out what payments you will have and what you can afford.
Once you have your pre-approval you can determine the type of property you can afford. Pre-approval also gives you a step up to have the confidence when you make an offer that this could put you ahead of other buyers.
True value of a home
If you are interested in a property, you may need the help of our Anne Winch Real Estate Team to make sure that:
- The estimated true value of the home is correct
- Get help with preparing an offer and
- Negotiate an offer on your behalf
Our Team is here with you every step of the way to negotiate on your behalf when you are buying a home. Leave the art of negotiation to your real estate team. We are here to work for you and understand your maximum price range, what is important to you and what is not. We will then present you with an offer to purchase that you feel comfortable with and will also help you purchase the home you want.
Know what you are getting
You might want to buy a fixer-upper. You need to be careful as even the most experienced renovators do stay away from pest damage and structural issues. If you decide to go with a fixer-upper, it might be worth getting a pre-inspection with a licensed house inspector to save problems down the road.
A house inspector will look for structural damage or deterioration of the property such as cracking, leaks or pest infestation. Understanding the property will save you money in the long run. It will also help you make a constructive offer.
Understand your neighbourhood
Choosing where you are going to live is as important as the house you want to purchase. This is a very critical life investment whether you are single or have a family. Write down a few items that are very important to you.
Do you want to be close to schools or your work? Are you looking for an area that is a smaller neighbourhood in a rural setting or do you wish to be in the suburbs or downtown?
Take a drive
Take a drive through the various neighbourhoods and keep a note on which neighbourhoods fit your lifestyle. You want to feel comfortable in the area where you wish to live. Always check out the neighbourhoods both during the day and the evening.
When you are driving through the neighbourhood observe the houses and see if they are well-kept and maintained. Are there any vacant houses? Are there any new commercial developments slated for the area where you want to live?
These are just some ideas to think of before you take the plunge to put in an offer. If you are looking for a specific property, don’t hesitate to contact our Team to help you find a home that is affordable and fits your lifestyle.