Being a first time home buyer isn’t easy. We’ve all heard the horror stories of deals falling through at the last minute, or how so-and-so found their dream house without an agent. They paint a picture of home buying as a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get. It isn’t always fraught with challenges. You may not land the perfect dream home right out of the gate (we hope you do!), but as you look at homes for sale in Tampa Fl, here are some great tips for buying your first home.
Location, Location, Location
It’s cliche for a reason. The first place to start when looking for a home is always location. Ask around. Ask your friends, coworkers, bosses and Google for the best neighborhoods. Take a stroll through the area. Drive around and visit restaurants, parks, gyms – whatever you value in a neighborhood. Get a feel for it and be sure to visit at different times of day. Put the work in at the top of your search, and it will pay off — we promise. Things are always changing in the real-estate business. Finding the right neighborhood or school district to live in is – and always has been – priority number one.
Make Sure You’re Ready to Buy
Are you in a good spot career-wise? How long do you plan on living in your current city? If you’re starting a new job and you aren’t sure it’s the right career for you, buying a home might not be the right decision. Owning a home is a big commitment. Don’t be afraid to self-asses by asking the hard questions about your finances. Do you have poor credit or lots of debt? Are you living paycheck to paycheck? Be sure that you’re ready to buy, emotionally, financially and personally.
Put Together a Team
You could go it alone, sure. For first-time home buyers we always recommended that you get yourself a real estate agent. An agent will help you through every step of the process, from finding the right home in your ideal location, putting together a great offer, and finally, negotiating the final terms of a deal. It’s also not a bad idea to contact a mortgage professional as well. Most of the closing nightmares are because financing fell through or the process didn’t move fast enough. Sure, agents take a percentage, but buying a home is an investment. Sometimes, the difference between getting the home you want and missing out is having professionals on your side.
Know Exactly What You Want
The truth is, you probably won’t find the perfect home. Even with so many Tampa homes to choose from, you’ll probably have to make some sacrifices. Is it more important to live in a certain school district or to have 2 bathrooms? Is a functional living room more important than square footage? Make sure you know what is of the most value to you. Odds are you won’t find it all, but getting the important stuff right ensures you’ll be happy in the long run.
3 Quick Tips
Be Ready to Move Quickly – here an agent can give you great advice, but good homes go fast.
Calculate ALL Costs – Take into account homeowners insurance, fees, taxes, utilities and repairs when making sure you’re ready to buy.
Floor Plan and Location – Painted walls, carpets, and appliances are replaceable. Focus on the floor plan, location and bathrooms when considering value.
There are a lot of homes for sale in Tampa, FL. Follow this list and you won’t miss out on the one that’s just right for you.
