Buying your first home is a thrilling and often overwhelming process. Whether you’re buying a home in Seattle, Washington, or a home in Los Angeles, California, there are many things to consider signing the final paperwork from your first tour.
For a first-person perspective, Redfin contacted the Reddit homeowners and asked them what they wanted before buying their first home. From shopping for the best mortgage rates to talking with your neighbors and getting an internal scoop for your area, these Reddit source tips can help you feel more confident as you step into homeownership.
1. I shop aggressively for the price
As this Redditor advises, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of getting a loan, but do your shopping.
Bespoketranche1: “We want to actively shop for the rates. We got caught up in finding the right home, so we missed the opportunity to get a lower fee each month and save hundreds.”
2. Introducing yourself to your neighbor
Before you put in your offer, become a good future neighbor and knock on your neighborhood door to get an insider scoop.
RORSCHACH_1: “Introducing yourself as a potential buyer as a way to knock on all neighbor’s doors and “discover”. We know east, west and traffic patterns, such as the sun set/rise, wind. ”
3. Plan and boundaries for DIY renovations
If you are planning on doing maintenance yourself, talk to other stakeholders who live in the home to see what expectations and boundaries around your work.
Professional CAP-822: “We bought an old, beautiful bungalow with a plan to do many updates. My husband wanted to do his job on his own. I didn’t grow up in the house I owned.
I wish I had known he would talk about what he planned, what it would cost, and how much he thought it would cost. People should also really think about whether they’re okay with getting through the confusion. And they should agree on the boundaries regarding the project. ”
4. Find joy in the process
Buying a home can be stimulating and stressful. Try to find joy as much as you can, as this redditor explains.
Longsupermarket2646: “I’m in the industry. There’s a laundry list of things people need to know before buying a home. It’s one of the most stressful things that you’ll come in your lifetime.
5. Know that the test may not catch everything
A home inspection can catch a lot before closing your home, but be prepared to have something that allows you to pass the standard inspection.
Ykohn: “I wish I had known how much it would hide outside of a standard inspection. Things like sewer lines, drainage or smaller electrical panels can cost you a lot of money later, but they don’t always appear in reports.”
Another Reddit user agreed that additional testing would be conducted if it could go back in time.
MagnistentBunny_: “I want to listen to the inspectors and get all the extra inspections like roofs, plumbing, etc. I didn’t realize that people could come out and provide a quote to fix those things.
6. Be sure to fully understand your monthly payments
When buying a home, your monthly housing expenses aren’t just limited to mortgages. You will also be paying taxes, insurance and HOA fees.
Letmany4907: “Understanding how mortgage fees and closing costs affect monthly payments saved me a headache. I focused on sticker prices, but ignored long-term payments. Multiple ways and factoring of tax, insurance, and HOA fees are important for signing.”
7. If you have mature trees, hire an arborist
If you need to put out an arborist to see the tree, it can quickly become expensive. Try planning ahead before closing your home.
lackegetable3534: “If there are many mature or celestial trees in your property, have the arborist check everything. You need to remove heaven and sick or sick trees. It should be expensive and part of the negotiation.”
8. Work with people you trust in hoping for unexpected things
For this Reddit user, it’s not harmful to have overprepared and rainy days funding in case things happen in the first few months of owning the house.
Civil-Shelter9892: “I’ve been a realtor for over 20 years, and the first thing I’m saying is unexpected. In my experience, it often came out whether it was what the buyers were expecting.
Work with people you trust and respect. This is often the most important financial decision you make, usually up to that point. Work with someone who has your back. There should be others out there for you, like your mortgage broker, real estate agent, lawyer, and inspectors and contractors. Surround yourself with good people. It’s not just about using someone because they’re your cousin or your mom used them. Find the person you are feeling and help it be a stressful but exciting time! ”
Another Reddit user confirmed the importance of being prepared for hidden costs to return home.
WidelyESoteric: “There are far more hidden costs to buy a home than you know. The government can change the law. Increased taxes. Design requirements. Repair. Weather damage, theft. Bad neighbors.
You don’t just buy a house. You gain experience as a homeowner. Good and bad. ”
9. Consider fire and flood activity
With the rise in fires and floods in recent years, if you choose to buy a home, it could also affect your insurance options and costs.
popptart4u2: “If I had known that insurance companies could cancel based on new fires and flooding activities, I would have been more cautious about choosing a new home location. I am fortunate for me. So far, I have lived in high fires in Southern California, but that could change at any time. I can afford it.”
10. Take your time to explore each step in the process
Finding a home you like can be exciting, but as this redditor touches, make sure you are carefully following each step.
Pale_natural_7261: “Some people are jumping really quickly during the buying process because they found the right home. I think it’s really important to take the time to understand the process. How many types of issues do you have from closing to closing? Even with many aspects of homeownership that are overlooked, sometimes with the best intentions, there’s not enough time to explore all aspects.
11. I’ll ask anything from normal to what looks like
When you walk through your house, point out anything that looks strange. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Skoltroll: “I’ll do a detailed inspection myself. Why is the ceiling broken? Can I prove it when the machine was last served/upgraded? How old is the roof? What is these water stains? Do attic insulation look better?
This may not change your mind when you buy, but it should put you in a solid place to know what you are buying and know what you will accept when it comes to future maintenance.
TL;DR: Screw cosmetic updates. Prove that the basics are solid. ”
For one Reddit user, looking under the suspiciously placed dish towels could have saved me a headache.
MopleTelevision3921: “I lie affectionately on the edge of the counter to look under the decorative dish towel. After I bought it, I can now see that the 3-inch laminate is missing.”
12. Early purchases will help you build fairness
If you can afford it, you can buy a house early and build stocks instead of paying rent without future returns.
Simple-Airport1357: “I wish I had bought my first house years ago. Instead, I spent it on renting in my 20s and mortgages for others. When I did math, I realized I had paid over $500,000 in rent over those ten years.
13. Make sure to include minor things in your test
As this Redditor explains, it’s easy to overlook small things like Windows isn’t open except that big systems are checked.
Ansibley: “I just sold my late mother’s house. Her inspector let me repair a window that doesn’t stay properly. This month, when my inspector found a new home to do it, I just did it. No, don’t forget about the little things in the big system.
14. Check your storage room or garage during your final walkthrough
Before closing, make sure you can store unwanted items. Something may be hidden in the garage you don’t want to deal with.
RTMICHIGAN24: “Always check the garage and storage room for the final walkthrough. People are lazy and put old ones instead of curbs.”
Conclusion: You cannot overprepare
Being prepared always helps when it comes to buying your first home. Don’t be afraid to ask questions during the process. Get the correct information. While home views can be stressful, preparing can help reduce that stress and the possibility of unexpected future events.
