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Buying a home is a huge step and one many rush into without carefully considering the process. First of all LOCATION- we can't say it enough and as a Realtor it is our Mantra. You can't take back what you have purchased and are stuck with it once you have bought a home so carefully consider the location. Not just the neighborhood either. Here in my hometown area we have many road projects scheduled to go through for instance. You may not realize it but sometimes that "great deal" may not be so great if the future development of the neighborhood will be affected by a road or tollway going through it. Although these things are suppose to be disclosed if you arent working with a Realtor you may not be fully aware of how these types of issues will affect your market value or quality of life...like waking up to fourteen wheelers honking as your alarm at 5 am in the morning. This is just one of many scenarios that can occur "AFTER the Sale". So BUYER BEWARE.
Secondly, you may not think of how it will be when you decide to sell your home...that is right you need to consider resale when you buy a home. Is the location or home something that only you like or that many people will like. Is it near a park, a good school system even if you don't have children your future buyers may have them one day.
Also, make sure you vist the neighborhood different times of the day when neighbors are actually home. Are there lots of cars parked in the street? How is the traffic on the street? Does your future neighbor have large dogs your not aware of? Do you like what the neighborhood looks like as a whole.
Don't forget to walk around and talk to the neighbors...Thats right get out and introduce yourself as a hopeful future resident and see what they feel about their neighborhood. Do they like the HOA? Do they like the builders? Do they like the schools? Are there things they wished they had known before they moved in?
LASTLY and most importantly remember that you will be paying annual property taxes on the property no matter if you pay cash or finance the home. These rates are important to know and also to see if they are going up annually or if they are fairly stable. When you buy a home you are responsible to pay the taxes from the date you own it prorated till the next year. Also don't forget to file for HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION the next January. This will save you thousands of dollars. But bottom line is get all the facts of the home and don't have "rose colored glasses" on when you see the dream home...pay full attention to the WHOLE PROCESS not just the lovely kitchen and great backyard!
These questions are overlooked alot and can be very valuable to you when you are choosing on where to live. It is somewhere you want to make sure you and your family or future family will feel safe and most of all at "HOME".
Having a Buyers Agent Realtor represent you will help to insure that you get the most accurate details of a home and community before you buy. Our job is to protect your interest and pin point areas that you may overlook. We do the homework for you, and make sure that you fully understand the whole process from making an offer to signing the closing papers and all the work in between. Our job is to make the process easier for you. And in Texas Buyers Agents fees are paid by the seller so you are out no money for our professional services. You can't get a better deal than that!
If you are looking for a Realtor please let me know if I can assist you I cover the entire Houston and Surrounding areas both Montgomery and Harris County!
