Home buying tips?

***debbiedeb77*** · 06-13-2008, 04:39 AM

hey guys/gals;
So my hubby and i are going to venture into buying our first place when we move to san diego, i was just wondering if any of you are savvy at this stuff because im pretty clueless as to the process. Any one with experience in the field have any advice for a first time homebuyer? any tips would be helpful!
aloha~ deb

***magosienne*** · 06-13-2008, 03:41 PM

travel. look for houses in San Diego and around. determine what kind of house you're searching for (if not done already), and what would you like around. schools, shops, bus lines...
one tip my parents were talking about is visit preferably houses during winter, not in summer when it's full of tourists and all shiny.
visit a few real estate agents, make sure they have good reputation.
of course know also up to what amount you can buy a house and be comfortable with the loan from your bank. no need to live in a super fantastic perfect house if you eat pasta the next 25 years.

***debbiedeb77*** · 06-13-2008, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magosienne

travel. look for houses in San Diego and around. determine what kind of house you're searching for (if not done already), and what would you like around. schools, shops, bus lines...
one tip my parents were talking about is visit preferably houses during winter, not in summer when it's full of tourists and all shiny.
visit a few real estate agents, make sure they have good reputation.
of course know also up to what amount you can buy a house and be comfortable with the loan from your bank. no need to live in a super fantastic perfect house if you eat pasta the next 25 years.

THANKS FOR THE GOOD ADVICE, I HAVE BEEN LOOKING ONLINE AND HAVE SPOKEN WITH A FEW REALTORS -I KNOW I SHOULD GET PRE-QUALIFIED BUT IM NOT SURE IF I SHOULD GO THROUGH REALTORS LENDERS OR SHOULD I JUST GO TO MY OWN BANK?

beaglette · 06-14-2008, 12:14 AM

Got to lendingtree.com Banks compete for your business (I know, I know, I sound like the commercial). But seriously!

Good luck and HAVE FUN!

Warmly,

Brandi

***debbiedeb77*** · 06-14-2008, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beaglette

Got to lendingtree.com Banks compete for your business (I know, I know, I sound like the commercial). But seriously!

Good luck and HAVE FUN!

Warmly,

Brandi

THANKS BEAGLETTE! I'LL LOOK INTO THAT

***magosienne*** · 06-14-2008, 03:22 AM

well i was about to suggest the bank as that's how it works here, but that link sounds interesting.

***debbiedeb77*** · 06-20-2008, 06:06 PM

*bump*

***Nick007*** · 06-20-2008, 08:46 PM

Look at a lot of houses, they never look like they do online. I went to so many i thought were pretty online, turned out to be dumps. As corny as it sounds you'll know when you see it. Get a home inspection for sure!! It will reveal all the home's problems and you will be able to back out of your contract if something major turns up. I would try to get approved first, so you can know the price range you qualify for. I think it's a buyers market right now (at least where I live) so you should be able to get a lot of deals, seller pays closing cost and things like that.

***debbiedeb77*** · 06-21-2008, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick007

Look at a lot of houses, they never look like they do online. I went to so many i thought were pretty online, turned out to be dumps. As corny as it sounds you'll know when you see it. Get a home inspection for sure!! It will reveal all the home's problems and you will be able to back out of your contract if something major turns up. I would try to get approved first, so you can know the price range you qualify for. I think it's a buyers market right now (at least where I live) so you should be able to get a lot of deals, seller pays closing cost and things like that.

thanks so much for your input, yeah its a buyers market all over the country and i really hope we get into something nice, i will keep you guys posted

o am so excited to be moving but im also shitting bricks bc theres so much to do!

***Darla_G*** · 06-21-2008, 01:13 AM

Never buy the first house you find. Look around as suggested by other people.

If you are new to the area ask people at work about their house, their neighborhood, figure the commute!!!, the schools (even if you don't have kids yet)

Find a good real estate agent, but remember as much as you might like them they don't get paid unless you buy something. Figure out what you can afford (maybe get preapproved by a mortgage company) Be realistic about what the house really needs and what you are capable of doing and take that into consideration for the price & be realistic as to what your real needs are and what are pure wants. Thisi is your first home it doesn't have to be perfect or your dream home.

Get the house inspected! by a professional home inspector (already mentioned) and make any offer you make contingent on a successful inspection.

Back to schools, really check into this even if you don't have kids yet or even if you're not planning on having any consider in the future who may be the target buyer for your house and schools may be important to them. A desirable school district will always sell even in a bad market.

Figure out how much you can put down. and also learn what your credit rating is.

And the #1 mistake a lot of people make is they look at a house and don't like the house because of the ratty carpet or ugly wallpaper. or lack of landscaping. Don't be put off by these things! easy trap to fall into. These are things easily changed. The priority has to be location, structural and roof and windows, are the rooms big enough, are you buying the best house in the neighborhood or the worst?

***debbiedeb77*** · 06-21-2008, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darla_G

Never buy the first house you find. Look around as suggested by other people.

If you are new to the area ask people at work about their house, their neighborhood, figure the commute!!!, the schools (even if you don't have kids yet)

Find a good real estate agent, but remember as much as you might like them they don't get paid unless you buy something. Figure out what you can afford (maybe get preapproved by a mortgage company) Be realistic about what the house really needs and what you are capable of doing and take that into consideration for the price & be realistic as to what your real needs are and what are pure wants. Thisi is your first home it doesn't have to be perfect or your dream home.

Get the house inspected! by a professional home inspector (already mentioned) and make any offer you make contingent on a successful inspection.

Back to schools, really check into this even if you don't have kids yet or even if you're not planning on having any consider in the future who may be the target buyer for your house and schools may be important to them. A desirable school district will always sell even in a bad market.

Figure out how much you can put down. and also learn what your credit rating is.

And the #1 mistake a lot of people make is they look at a house and don't like the house because of the ratty carpet or ugly wallpaper. or lack of landscaping. Don't be put off by these things! easy trap to fall into. These are things easily changed. The priority has to be location, structural and roof and windows, are the rooms big enough, are you buying the best house in the neighborhood or the worst?

excellent tips darla, i really appreciate it