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Tips for First-Time Home Buyers

Purchasing your first home is exciting. And crazy! You might be tempted by the current trends to make a quick buy before things become wilder. But take it easy!


Purchasing your first house should be done with care. Finding one that contributes to rather than detracts from your long-term financial plans is essential. Okay, that's wonderful, but how do I go about purchasing my first home?


We’ve compiled a checklist of things you should do before purchasing your first home. This may seem like a lot but it’s simple.


Starting saving early on

When budgeting for a house, these are the major outlays to anticipate, such as a deposit payment, mortgage closing costs, and moving costs. Put aside some cash to pay for urgent house maintenance, improvements and new furniture.


Consider your budget before house hunting

Prior to house hunting, you should have a good idea of how much you can afford to spend. Determine a budget based on your income, debt, deposit payment, credit score, and desired location.


Make sure your credit is in good shape

Your mortgage eligibility and the interest rate offered by lenders will depend on your credit score. If you want a cheaper mortgage rate when you purchase a property, improving your credit score is a must.


Look into your home loan choices

There are many different types of home loans available, each with its own set of prerequisites for applying for and obtaining financing. The primary types are as follows:

  • Fixed or Variable Home Loans

  • FHA Loans

  • Low Doc Loan

When interest rates are expected to go up, you may want to think about getting a home loan with a variable rate. Since the interest may go up (or down) over time, you can afford to buy a more costly property with the same monthly payment.

It is also a good idea to contact a Mortgage Broker who can guide you through and further explain the different types of home loans that may be available to you.


Find out about available first-time buyer programs

Low-interest rate mortgages, deposit payment, and closing cost help are common features of first-time home buyer programs, which are offered by many states and even some local governments. Some programs aimed at first-time homebuyers even include tax benefits.


Carefully choose an agent

A professional Real Estate agent will find houses that fit your criteria and help you negotiate and close. Ask prospective agents about their expertise with first-time homebuyers in your area and how they'll help you.


Make sure you also find a Conveyancer to make the legal process and transactions easy for you. Contact Impact Legal Cairns for more assistance.


Pick the perfect home and neighbourhood

Given your lifestyle and budget, compare various housing styles. Units and Townhouses may be cheaper than single-family homes, but they provide less privacy and Body Corporate Fees. If you’re a family, consider purchasing a big family house.


Book a Building & Pest Inspection

An examination of a house is a comprehensive analysis of its physical condition and functioning. The purpose of hiring an inspector is to find any issues with the property before you commit to purchasing it.


Negotiate

Asking the seller to cover the cost of repairs in advance or negotiating a price reduction to account for the cost of repairs you'll have to do later may help you save money.


Get House Insurance

Before you can settle on a house purchase, you'll need to provide proof of homeowner's insurance to your lender.


If your house or your possessions are destroyed by an event that is covered by your homeowner's insurance policy, the policy will pay for the necessary repairs or replacements.


Take Away

It may be time-consuming to find the right home and may take more than one offer before you find the perfect place. That's OK, by the way. This is natural and expected when purchasing a property. Patience is key and don’t feel like you have to rush the process. Your perfect home is out there!


If you need help during the buying process, contact Impact Legal Cairns for assistance!

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