What is your best advice for a first-time house buyer?

1. 61

   jeshonposted 11 years ago

   What is your best advice for a first-time house buyer?

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2. 67

   TravelAboutposted 11 years ago

   Get fully educated about the housing market and mortgage process.  Use due diligence in asking questions.  Buy less than you can afford.  Look into the mortgage title insurance very carefully as there are concerns about perfected title on many homes today.  You usually have the option to get owner's coverage so make sure you get it; you have no choice an have to purchase a lender's policy.  I have heard rumors that title insurers are adding "exceptions" to coverage due to non-perfected titles, so make sure you look carefully at the owner's coverage.  Last, in many areas housing prices are still going down, contrary to what you may hear and read.  Also check this out very carefully for the area you wish to buy in and make sure you don't overpay.  If you plan on purchasing a foreclosure or short sale, my suggestion would be to get your own review by an attorney before signing on the dotted line.  Always get a home inspection.  Hope this helps.

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3. 84

   Efficient Adminposted 11 years ago

   Make sure you buy within your means. Buy with the intention you want to live there for the long-term. I wrote a hub on this with detailed information:
   http://hubpages.com/hubtool/edit/3068801
   
   I also think TravelAbout has given a really good answer to this question.

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4. 75

   alancaster149posted 11 years ago

   Deposit: Depending on where you live and where you want to buy. People here tend to buy in the suburbs unless they're 'moneyed' (heirs, heiresses, lottery winners, royalty, senior civil servants), in which case they can buy outright. You usually have to save from when you get your first pocket money these days ('Don't buy a lollipop/choccy bar darling, put it towards the deposit on your bijou - size of a dog kennel - residence)!
   Budget: stay within it and if you go for an older house/flat make sure you've got the cash for modifications and repairs.
   Improvements/Modifications: Don't embark on any until you've read the small print. Over here we have all manner of restrictions for the outside appearance of property. If you live in an 'area of outstanding beauty', in a national park, in a Grade I or Grade II listed building or in a borough with an unusually tough outlook on external changes then I can only say: 'forget it'. You're lumbered with what other people will allow and you're severely restricted as to what materials you can use to restore your property. And if you're thinking of outside swimming pools, DON'T!
   You can buy property at auction, but the cheaper it is for the size of the property the more work will be involved (that's that castle in the Highlands scotched for a start)!
   With regards apartments, there are charges for the upkeep in a block of managed apartments etc, and there are other (usually hidden) charges such as when the landlord upgrades the roof or replaces windows, doors etc.
   Buying property can be a minefield. Best buy a mine detector with your property!

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   1. 75

      alancaster149posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Equally, there is 'non-standard construction', i.e., concrete used in support structure and walls. You can't sell them on, and they're liable to stresses. Cracks cannot be dealt with easily, (you've bought a bottomless pit to throw your money into)!

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