Are you a first time home buyer and need to know what to do?
By riempie9
@riempie9 (1021)
South Africa
July 1, 2012 8:23am CST
It would be advisable to get a real estate agent from the outset as it may take some time to look for your desired location, talk with people, talk to the bank about a mortgage for the house, stage a home inspection, throw an open house, and the knowledge of a real estate agent will help you get through the paperwork. An agent will also use his contact list and strategy and in turn work with other agents if it is necessary to locate just the right house for you.
Make a list for the agent of all the things you require. You will be surprised when you write it all down how much work there is to be done. Do you have kids and have to be near schools, libraries and other amenities? Do you want to live near the highway but not next to a busy intersection? Do you want to be near enough to the office so it does not take too much time to get to work in the mornings? Do you know how to do a staging so that the house looks a hundred times fresher and more inviting? Do you know how to design a colorful brochure of the house with all the necessary information?
This is an agent's territory. Use the services. This is your first house. If you plan to move one more time in the future you would have learned what to do and it will be easier the next time you attempt it.
If you have anything to add to these suggestions and advice, please do so.
3 people like this
3 responses
@safety69 (592)
• Taiwan
1 Jul 12
Hi, I am that kind of person who will be looking for a house to buy , not that soon , but , we are hopping for it. Right now we are renting an appartment, I like the appartment eventhough is very small but when we moved in it was all renovated so , everything was new , what I dont like and it will be the motive for which we want to move is the parking place , its an elevador and inside its so narrow , our car fix just exactly and can not make turns so, we dont use it , i look all around on the streets were to park , and sometimes i cant find a place not even paying , so parking its very important when you are looking for a new place to live. Other thing that I notice that this appartment doesnt have is the space to hang up laudry its very difficult, or we always need to have an extra room for storage , so , have to add one more room besides the bedrooms. I hope this help .
1 person likes this
@riempie9 (1021)
• South Africa
1 Jul 12
You are right. I forgot to mention about the importance of having a parking spot. However, I did not think of the laundry option. It is very important especially if you have kids whose clothes have to be washed almost every day. A nice spot in the breeze would be ideal for laundry. Speak to your superintendent and ask if you can have more storage space.
@simonelee (2715)
• China
1 Jul 12
For me it's not necessary to look for a real estate agent. Yes, they can help but they're just doing their job so it's their responsibility to present good things but not the entire truth. They're not lying... they're just not telling you the whole truth. They're up to sales and get their commissions. So, sometimes their advice might sound good but in the end it will put you in dept. So, for me don't relay to "experts" because sometimes those experts are not real experts. They deal with properties but they them selves have no properties. So, it's better to have knowledge on the things you're going to deal with.
@Chirshbroad (2)
• India
29 Nov 12
I do not agree, I had a very good experience with my real estate agent till now. It has been more than 3 years and I have been using lone star realty whenever I need to shift on to some other place. They always make sure I am informed about all options available and the best part is that they search home within my budget and without charging heavy commission. what better can one ask for?
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
15 Apr 13
Thanks for sharing in details. I have two houses that i inherited from parents and grand parents, i just renovated one recently and reconstructed the other one after total dismantling.
