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When deciding to purchase a new or used home you have to make some decisions based on needs and financial constraints. A new home is one that has just been built - no one else has lived in it yet. You might buy a new home from a contractor who has built it, or you might hire a contractor to build it for you. A previously-owned home (often called a resale) has already been lived in. The costs maybe comparable or the deciding factor depending on the area and neighborhood you choose.
Start by thinking about your situation. Are you ready to buy a home? How much can you afford in a monthly mortgage payment ? How much space do you need? What areas of town do you like? After you answer these questions, make a "To Do" list and start doing casual research. Talk to friends and family, drive through neighborhoods, and look in the "Homes" section of the newspaper.
Before you sign a purchase contract, talk to a real estate lawyer. Standard purchase agreements are designed to keep everybody out of court, but they don't necessarily contain language that protects the buyer. Ask questions about removal of contingencies and your cancellation rights. Make sure you understand your liability and commitments. Find out if the materials used by the builder contain chemicals that are hazardous to your health. If your contract contains a warning about health issues, it's probably because it's a valid concern and other buyers have gone to court over it.
If you are buying a new home in a subdivision you will encounter some type of seller or Realtor. The builder's sales agents are paid to represent the builder, regardless of what they may tell you. Many will use high pressure tactics to persuade you to sign the contract. Due to the high volume nature of brand new home sales, lots of builder's agents are paid less than a traditional commission; some earn a salary plus incentives, so turnover is important to their livelihood.
Some home buyers are in existing homes and need to move due to growing size of family or change in circumstances. Consider the costs and your reason for moving. Perhaps an extension would be a better option. What will the new location be like compared to where you are living. Is it worth losing good neighbors?
If the home is finished when you buy it, hire a home inspector to give it a thorough examination. Really. Plenty of stories exist of homeowners who lit their first fire only to discover that the chimney was sealed over, drew a bath that sent a flood of water through the ceiling to the floor below, and so on. And these are just the obvious problems that appear within the warranty period. Other problems, like improperly applied stucco, may only become visible years later, after moisture has accumulated and the stucco starts falling off the walls.
Start by thinking about your situation. Are you ready to buy a home? How much can you afford in a monthly mortgage payment ? How much space do you need? What areas of town do you like? After you answer these questions, make a "To Do" list and start doing casual research. Talk to friends and family, drive through neighborhoods, and look in the "Homes" section of the newspaper.
Before you sign a purchase contract, talk to a real estate lawyer. Standard purchase agreements are designed to keep everybody out of court, but they don't necessarily contain language that protects the buyer. Ask questions about removal of contingencies and your cancellation rights. Make sure you understand your liability and commitments. Find out if the materials used by the builder contain chemicals that are hazardous to your health. If your contract contains a warning about health issues, it's probably because it's a valid concern and other buyers have gone to court over it.
If you are buying a new home in a subdivision you will encounter some type of seller or Realtor. The builder's sales agents are paid to represent the builder, regardless of what they may tell you. Many will use high pressure tactics to persuade you to sign the contract. Due to the high volume nature of brand new home sales, lots of builder's agents are paid less than a traditional commission; some earn a salary plus incentives, so turnover is important to their livelihood.
Some home buyers are in existing homes and need to move due to growing size of family or change in circumstances. Consider the costs and your reason for moving. Perhaps an extension would be a better option. What will the new location be like compared to where you are living. Is it worth losing good neighbors?
If the home is finished when you buy it, hire a home inspector to give it a thorough examination. Really. Plenty of stories exist of homeowners who lit their first fire only to discover that the chimney was sealed over, drew a bath that sent a flood of water through the ceiling to the floor below, and so on. And these are just the obvious problems that appear within the warranty period. Other problems, like improperly applied stucco, may only become visible years later, after moisture has accumulated and the stucco starts falling off the walls.
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