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Why You Need Real Estate Advice For Buyers

By Charmaine Foreman


Many people want to own their own home. Owning a place of their own is attractive to some people because they want the security of knowing they will always have a place to stay. In addition, many financial experts believe that owning a home is a good investment, since the value of the property is likely to appreciate over time. However, it is wise to choose your home carefully and find the best real estate advice for buyers.

When purchasing a home, most people need to get a mortgage from their bank or a lending agency. It is important to remember that there are different types of mortgage products available, so you need to do your research and know the difference before you commit to a mortgage. Some mortgages are adjustable rate mortgages, meaning that the interest rate can change depending on the market, while others are fixed rate, meaning you can lock in a certain interest rate for five years or more and it will not increase, even if the market rate does.

Some mortgages also give you the option of paying additional points in exchange for a low interest rate. These additional points are basically a part of the interest that you have to pay at the time of closing. If you plan to stay in the home for several years, it is normally a good idea to take the additional points, since the lower interest rate could save you money in the long term.

Before you start house hunting, you should get pre-approved by your bank or lender. Having a pre-approval in place will give you an idea of what you can afford, and will save you time from looking at homes you cannot afford. Pre-approval is based on your income, debt and credit history, rather than a brief review of your finances.

You will also need to make a down payment when buying a home. Sometimes lenders will allow you to make a small down payment if you do not have the full twenty percent payment which they typically require. You will need to be careful, however, since normally customers are charged higher interest rates for not making a large enough down payment.

Before you place a bid on a home, try to get a sense of what the sales trends are for similar houses in the neighborhood. You realtor should have this information. This will prevent you from paying more for the house than you should.

Do not be afraid to get professional help, especially if it is your first time buying property. Look for an agent who will look out for your interests and help you through the whole process.

Choose your agent carefully. Do not choose an agent who does not have the proper licensing requirements. Speak to relatives and friends who own homes and ask them for their recommendations of who the best realtors are.




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