Are you considering buying your first home? I'm sure you already know that now's an amazing time to buy your first home. You have the perfect combination of low interest rates, low Santa Cruz home prices and President Obama's stimulus plan which gives you additional incentive to buy now.
To help make your first time Santa Cruz home buying experience the best it can be, here are some tips:
1) Know What You Can Afford
It is easy to get carried away with what you want versus what you can actually afford. Start with reasonable expectations.
2) Decide Exactly What You Need
Consider your current family status and what your immediate future might hold, then decide on the number of bedrooms you require and the amenities you feel you can't do without. If you love to cook, a well-equipped and spacious kitchen will be important. If you eat out 90% of the time, it is wasted space.
3) Make Good Use of the Internet
If you're like millions of other Americans, you spend a lot of time online. Make use of the many available free programs and calculators to give you a better idea of what you can afford and what your mortgage payments will be. There are mortgage calculators that give you an instant idea of what each home you find will cost you monthly.
4) Don't Hesitate to Ask Questions
Call around to get insurance quotes so that you have a reasonable estimation of what to add to the total cost of your monthly mortgage. Check the information on the Santa Cruz home properties you are interested in to find out what the taxes are. Add that amount to your total monthly mortgage cost too.
Buying your first Santa Cruz home should be the thrill of a lifetime and with proper planning it can be.
If you'd like to work with a real estate agent who specializes in helping first time home buyers get their dream home at the best price, call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com
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Posted by Lauren Spencer on
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