3 Things to Do When Preparing to Buy Your First Home
Do you hope to be purchasing a home in the Metrowest area in the next year or two? It’s important to start preparing for your first home purchase as far in advance as possible. Here are 3 things to check off your to-do before stalking homes on Zillow for hours.
Meet with a real estate agent
Meet with a Metrowest real estate agent and ask them to explain the home buying process to you, step by step. You can read articles on this all day, but having a professional who does this everyday walk you through what it looks like is extremely beneficial. (P.S. Ask me – I’d love to meet for coffee and go over the process.)Talk to a lender
After talking with an agent, you’ll want to speak with a lender as well. Your agent will be able to refer you to someone, or you can find someone on your own. The lender will help you understand your qualifications and what you can afford now. They will help you to get your finances in order and get you on track to be able to afford your dream home when you are ready.Build up your credit and savings
Your lender will tell you this, but it’s important to start building up your credit and savings so you can get the best deal on a loan possible. The higher the credit score and the more money you can put down, the better.
Not sure where to begin? Email me and I’ll forward you a copy of my first time home buyer guide, we can meet up to discuss the process, I can help answer any questions you may have.
Signs of Damage in a House
It’s so easy to get distracted by the cute barn doors, the recessed lighting, and the shiplap walls – that we miss the water damage on the roof! Luckily, the inspection period is written in the contract to give buyers a chance to hire an inspector to assess the property. However, it’s important to know the signs that something may be wrong before getting too invested in a home. Here are some signs that there may be big problems with a house.
Signs of roof damage:
Cupped, curled or warped shingles
Cracked or broken tiles
Missing sections
Mismatched roof sections
Ceiling stains
Sagging roof deck
Signs of foundation damage:
Visible cracks in exterior or interior
Door jams/doors not shutting
Gaps on top of doors when closed
Windows not square
Wall corners not square
Cracks in driveway or sidewalks
Drainage not pointing away from the house
Large trees with roots close to foundation
Signs of water/mold damage:
Water stains on ceilings and walls
Cracks around windows
Bowed roof
Visible mold
Musty smell
Missing caulking or tile in baths
No bathroom vents
Wood rot around doors and trim
Peeling paint
Signs of electrical damage:
Exposed wires
Warm outlets
Damaged or rusted electric panel
Signs of plumbing damage:
Water stains in sinks, toilets, bath
Low water pressure
Screeching when turning on/off
Slow drains
Bad odors from sinks
A good real estate agent will be able to help you catch these things. Ready to start looking for homes? Contact me today and let’s get started!
508-494-7817
