The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit advice; instead, it is for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not be current. This website may contain links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser; we do not recommend or endorse the contents of any third-party sites. Readers of this website should contact their attorney, accountant or credit counselor to obtain advice with respect to their particular situation. No reader, user, or browser of this site should act or not act on the basis of information on this site. Always seek personal legal, financial or credit advice for your relevant jurisdiction. Only your individual attorney or advisor can provide assurances that the information contained herein – and your interpretation of it – is applicable or appropriate to your particular situation. Use of, and access to, this website or any of the links or resources contained within the site do not create an attorney-client or fiduciary relationship between the reader, user, or browser and website owner, authors, contributors, contributing firms, or their respective employers.
Credit.com receives compensation for the financial products and services advertised on this site if our users apply for and sign up for any of them. Compensation is not a factor in the substantive evaluation of any product.
The process of homebuying can be overwhelming — from figuring out how much house you can afford to determining what you truly need in that home. Between all the numbers and logistics, it is easy to leave a few things off the checklist. Check out the below list of common things buyers overlook so you don’t.
Noise, odor and bright lights can get in the way of enjoying a home. Since not all of these will make themselves known in the daytime, consider driving through your potential neighborhood at varying times in the day and week so you get a true feel. Even if you think you have found a great neighborhood, you will want to see what it is like both on weekdays and weekends, mornings and evenings. It’s a good idea to try talking to neighbors and asking around in the community to find out if you and your family would be compatible. When it comes to safety, you can try doing an online search for nearby sex offenders or look into crime rates.
They say “location, location, location” — and yet buyers still don’t always look at the full scope when it comes to where their house is located. You cannot change the proximity to schools, commutes to and from work or how close the nearest supermarket and mall are. It’s important to look into these factors as well as traffic and transportation options so you can determine if this is the right home for your family.
When it comes to modern living, there’s a new factor to consider — connectivity. This means cellphone coverage, ability to get a strong Internet signal and charging potential. Older homes have fewer outlets so if you need a spot for your television, iPad, iPod, laptop, e-reader and electric toothbrush, be sure you find a house that can sustain all that.
Before you make a home purchase, it’s a good idea to do your research and find out how much closing costs will be, how far property taxes will set you back and how much homeowner’s insurance is. Another important factor is the potential resale value of the home. Although it seems weird to think of selling a home you haven’t even bought yet, you want to look into the median home-price growth in the area to help determine if this is a good investment.
Image: Jupiterimages
December 13, 2023
Mortgages