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The Ultimate Checklist Before Selecting a New House

Buying a house can be both exciting and daunting. The prospect of moving into a new house, the chance to start a new life, and things that may go wrong keep all first-time homebuyers up at night. It’s a dream come true for most Americans—the chance to buy a house of their own.

However, while making the biggest purchase of one’s life, you need to be cautious. Unfortunately, first-time homeowners commit mistakes that do not have an undo button and result in long-term stress.

So if you’re about to buy your first home, make sure to go through this checklist before you start house hunting.

Where Do You Want to Live?

The first thing to consider is where you want to live. There are many amazing neighborhoods in Austin, Texas but it all boils down to your personal needs and wants. For example, if you have young children, you may be keen to buy a home in Texas’ best school district. If you’re looking to advance towards older age, your preference will be a home surrounded by community clubs.

What’s Your Budget?

The next step is to think about your budget. The median price of a home in America is over $300,000. In Austin as well, you may find a decent house within the same budget. But if you can only afford $200,000 searching for a house that exceeds your budget will not be a smart call. Consider your finances, available house loan programs, and your current expenses to accommodate the mortgage payback.

What Do You Want in the Neighborhood?

As stated earlier, your desire to live in a certain neighborhood will be determined by various factors. But having a school district, a higher prospected value in the future or basic amenities may not be enough. For many Americans, buying a home in an area that has recreational activities, parks, hiking trails, or other attractions nearby guarantees a better standard of living.

Agent giving tour of a home’s kitchen

What are Your Needs in the House?

Then comes the part where you look for a house that best caters to your needs. Do you need multiple bedrooms, a single-story home, a working kitchen with a pantry, and extra storage space? Consider the things you’ll need in a house when you’re living there. And don’t forget your current furniture, appliances, or extra stuff you’re unable to stash.

Is This House Worth the Money?

Don’t get too tempted by the fancy décor or the fall ceiling. Hire an inspector to find underlying issues in the house. Ask the homeowners for a year’s energy bills to see the average energy consumption. And take a thorough look at the kitchen, the roof, and the overall condition of the house to negotiate the price for immediate repair work.

Think Long-Term, Buy Smartly

Don’t settle for a house that serves your current need and think of your plans. The future value of the property, extra space, and bedrooms to accommodate your growing family must be taken into account. And if you’re looking for home buying counseling programs, contact us at Z Finance Solutions. We are a home buying advisor in Texas and offer home buying services to first-time homeowners.

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