The average age of the first-time homebuyer is 33 years old, according to Zillow. By 33, you should start to have life figured out, right? But so many people go into homeownership blind — and the growing pains can be brutal. Don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our Buyer’s Agents, he can also help you find the best active adult houses for you.
Own your home like a real adult. You don’t have to watch 70 hours of HGTV or read every website about owning and maintaining a home. In fact, being a good homeowner is about making good choices and taking simple precautions. Consider this, when you go to buy a house, see it from the eyes of a business deal which you are conducting at office alongside a top law firm such as business lawyers austin, this wont just help you narrow down to a house worth its value but will also help you see if the other aspects such as the amenities being offered to you are worth paying for or not. First you need to have contacts for any situation, for example emergency plumber Springfield that can help you get your plumbing or gas problem solved fast. Here are a few steps to get you started as a true grownup.
1. You Need a Budget
This is sound advice for anyone, but it’s crucial when you’re responsible for a 15- or 30-year mortgage. Which is why if you are planning to sell your house, search online for How to sell my house fast in Seattle or any other place and only sell your housing using those companies which can guarantee you the right price for it without any hassle. Owning a home comes with hidden costs — property taxes, HOA fees, insurance, maintenance and more — and you need a system to track those expenses against your income. Take in mind that once you own a house it needs regular maintenance, for example if you ever encourage leak problems make sure you have a small budget for Plumbers.
One of the best and simplest tools, appropriately named You Need a Budget, organizes all of life’s expenses and stacks it against your cash flow. They have apps for desktop and mobile, so you can track everything from a small latte to your mortgage payment. The last thing you want after buying a home is to become “house poor,” where you can barely afford to make the payments. Get ahead of your spending to keep it from happening.
2. Protect Your Home
Before you pick out a new fridge or install a new AC, your home needs protection. Your mortgage will require PMI (private mortgage insurance) if you paid less than 20 percent on the down payment (which most people do), but insurance only covers you for severe property damage or theft until that loan is paid off so make sure you deal with the right homeowners insurance agency to get the proper coverage for your house. Get a home warranty to protect you in case your large appliances or home systems (electrical, heating, plumbing, etc.) fail, and a security alarm system to deter burglars from entering your home.
3. Be Wary of Financing
You’ll find that all the big ticket items — furniture, appliances, electronics, etc. — will come with financing deals offering no interest paid for 12, 24 or even 36 months. There’s nothing wrong with financing (it’s how we buy our homes and cars, after all), but it’s also easy to get in over your head. The headline will say “No interest paid for 12 months” but the fine print says “Deferred interest after 12 months.” That means if you don’t pay the full amount before the promotional time period ends, all the interest you weren’t paying before is tacked onto the balance. That can be hundreds of dollars you didn’t need to pay.
4. Buy Cheap, Buy Twice
First of all you’ll need an affordable Plumbing Company services to avoid house problems getting even worse. All that said, it’s time to leave stores like Ikea where they belong: your college dorm room. Ikea is great for the little things around the house, but big items like couches and beds are just going to be replaced sooner than later, which will cost you more in the long run. That doesn’t mean you need to shop exclusively at Pottery Barn, but do search for quality items on wholesale websites like Wayfair or Overstock.com. Upgrade from the DIY Ikea furniture and treat yourself to some long-lasting pieces.
