Buying a Home?  Here are 4 Tips for a Happy Ending

Buying a home is one of the largest and most important decisions anyone will make during their lifetime. It can also be one of the most stressful. But it doesn't need to be that way. Read these 5 tips and walk into your dream home smiling.

1.  If you aren’t finding what you like, consider expanding your search criteria. That may include expanding the geographical location, or simply having fewer requirements (for example, don’t specify that it must have a pantry and a built-in vacuum). Another possible expansion may concern the rooms that you want. Maybe you would like a 4 bedroom home - consider searching for 3 bedroom homes and then look through to see if they have a den, office, unfinished basement, or bonus space that could satisfy your space requirements.

2. Ask what the average utility bills are. This is particularly important if you are moving to a new area or if you are increasing the size of your home.  Don’t just assume that your utility bills will be around the same amount - they could be quite different.

3. Take pictures and notes when you go to listings. Chances are you will see at least 5-10 listings before you decide on one.  However, those 5-10 can seem quite similar, particularly if you are looking within a certain subdivision or looking at new construction.  So take some notes and bring along your camera, too. The best way to do this is to have your agent print out the MLS reports for the houses that you are going to see - then you can just make extra notes right on there along with the rest of the info.

So what should you document? Certainly not everything, but if you see a fireplace, or a desk nook or a kitchen island that you particularly like, take a picture of it (and make a note on your MLS printout that you took the picture and what it was of so that you can tell later on). This way, when you go home that night, you can review all the houses you looked at in order to narrow your decision.

4. Consider what the property taxes will be. Sometimes there can be a large difference from one city/town to the next in property tax rates.  Also, if you live out of city limits in the county, consider what they will be there.

Also, ask your agent when the home was last assessed. This is particularly relevant in areas that have seen home prices rise in the past several years. The annual tax amount on the MLS printout may be based upon an older value assessment and if that home is due to be assessed again soon, that number could increase substantially. 

~by Ian Mackie (www.johnsonteamrealestate.com).  Article courtesy of Article Rich.