Top-Rated
Realtor
in Villa Rica, GA

1. Prepare to have a Down Payment Ready at Closing - A down payment is the first large payment you will make on your home. It is owed when you close on your new home. Typically, your mortgage lender will want you to contribute 20% of the house's purchase price as a down payment. That would be $60,000 on a $300,000 home. There are options to lower your down payment, which you can discuss with your real estate agent. 
2. Beware of Hidden Costs - You may think all you have to do is divide the cost of your home by the number of months of the loan. However, many "hidden" costs can pop up while buying a house. Things like getting an inspection and appraisal will cost money upfront. Your realtor can also help you estimate the expenses like taxes, insurance, utilities, HOA, and maintenance fees.
3. Get Pre-approved for a Mortgage - Your mortgage lender (for example, your bank) will give you an offer to lend you up to a certain dollar amount to purchase a home. They will give this offer in a letter. This letter can be shown to sellers to prove you are a serious buyer who is actually qualified to make an offer on their home. Sellers will often require proof of preapproval before showing their home. 
4. Find the Right Area to Move To -  Most people want to move to an area with a low crime rate, great school options, and good stores nearby that fit their lifestyle. However, those aren't the only factors that need to be considered. Home prices and values fluctuate, and house prices can vary from city to city, neighborhood to neighborhood. It is wise to look at past home value trends. This will give you an idea of how much your home's value could increase over the next few years.
5. Resale Value - If this is your first time buying a home, chances are, this isn't your "forever home." Therefore, it is wise to consider a home's resale value before purchasing it. If you choose a really quirky home that doesn't have a lot of general features that would interest future buyers, you may have trouble reselling the home later. 
6. Make 2 Lists for Home Features - Make a list of everything you "must-have" for your first home, then make a second list that covers your "wish list." Your agent can help you understand if your wants are realistic for your budget and favorite neighborhoods or if you need to rethink what you're looking for.
7. Don't Assume the Neighborhood is Fine - Just like your spouse comes attached to your in-laws, every house comes with a neighborhood. Know what you're getting into. Take a look around before you buy. Talk to neighbors and find out the history. Drive through the neighborhood at different times of the day. Does the neighborhood feel safe at night? Would you feel safe walking around your neighborhood if you have dogs? If you have children, do you see other children out playing safely? 

8. The "Right Time" to Buy - Time can play a big role in your house options in West Georgia. In Georgia, data shows that June is popular for selling homes. So, searching early in the summer months could give you more variety of finding a house you really like, at the right price. On the other hand, December is the worst time to go house hunting, as the data shows there are about 33% fewer homes for sale. 

9. Checking Your Credit Score - It’s important to look at your credit report three months before you start the process of buying a home and applying for a loan. If you find something amiss on your report, you’ll have time to dispute and correct it before lenders check your credit report. If your credit report is good, it will improve your credit score. This may positively impact the interest rate you can get on your mortgage. Get a free copy of your credit report from annualcreditreport.com.
10. Don't Be Tempted to Go Over Your Budget - Anna, the real estate genius behind Realistic Realtor, was  an accountant for many years. She has seen the difficulties of families over-extending themselves for a home, only for it to cause financial ruin later. Her advice to you is try to keep your housing costs to about one-third of your monthly income. This includes your total mortgage payment, taxes, and insurance.

If you are ready to purchase your first home, we hope you'll consider calling Anna McCoy for all your home-buying needs. Our team is ready to help you through each step of the home-buying process. We look forward to speaking with you soon!