Welcome class to your one night course in buying a house. Anyone who is here for the “Joy of Sex for Over Sixties” that class has moved across the hall. Okay, so you are all here interested in learning the correct manner in buying a house. We will be going over the aesthetics of house buying which is basically “What do you want to buy?”
First of all you may want to determine what kind of house you want to buy. Do you want to purchase a new house or a previously loved house? Whether new or used some of the basics we will be addressing in this class will do for both. The second thing to consider is a price range. Now you can go a little over your price range, especially in the current market, if in the case of an older home you may be able to talk the price down. But please remember do not look at home you could never in a million years afford. This will end badly as some have found our recently.
When considerations for particular house type and price range are made another area to think about is where the house should be located. Are quite family friendly neighborhoods within walking distance of grocery stores, schools, churches and public transportation what you are looking for? Are you interested in being downtown or more out in the country? Will you want to live closer to work or within an easy commute? For new home buyers are you looking for planned communities or attached townhouses on small properties? For the used home buyers are you looking for a fixer upper or something that someone has already fixed up?
At this time you usually get a real estate agent who bless their hearts can never find the right house for you. Ask the agent to get you a list of houses with your general preferences (price, location, etc.). Take this list out with you one day and drive around to check out the houses. Find out the ones that you absolutely could not be bothered with and the ones that have potential.
Also, be on the lookout for houses for sale in the same area that may not be on your list. You may want to visit these properties and your agent can arrange all of the appointments. And take advantage of any open houses you may come across, you can always come back with your agent later.
When looking at the property bring a measuring tape, pad of paper and a pencil. You have an idea of how many rooms and bathrooms you want or can live with in your home. You know how big your fridge, your living room set and your bed are. You will want to know if the rooms of your new house will fit the furniture of the old house.
Also consider television cable, phone and electrical outlets (you can even sketch out rooms show locations of outlets, doors, windows and closets). Other things to consider while you are walking around the house are: Is the master bedroom practical versus the size of the other bedrooms or will your child be sleeping in a room smaller than your master bedroom closet for the rest of their lives? Are the rooms, windows and/or doors where you want them (Mother has to have the kitchen in the back of the house with a widow over the sink.)? Are there hall, linen and/or pantry closets for storage and wet coats?
For the used home buyer you should never consider the current owners’ taste in furniture, wall color, draperies, and stuffed animal collection. It infuriates me to watch that horrible show, Sell This House. Where ill advised home shoppers (okay, idiotic) just cannot get passed the king sized bed in the all too small room bedecked with the world’s largest stuffed animal collection. Let me tell you right now: You are not buying the furniture or the stuffed animal collection, so ignore it completely! Imagine how the room would look with a fresh coat of paint (your choice of color) and your furniture (possibly facing a different direction with lovely new drapes). This is the key. Use your imagination to strip down the house. Otherwise you just look completely stupid not buying a perfectly good house because the bathroom towels were mauve and you hate mauve!
For new home buyers all you have to consider is the various decorating packages there is on offer. Make sure you order and get what you want to live with for a while for a price you are willing to afford. If you are looking into painting the walls other colors than are offered go with white walls to start with.
When you have found a house you like for the price you want to pay (have your agent haggle down the price, especially in this market) and have had it inspected for soundness you have completed your mission. Mother always says to be sure to get a fixed rate mortgage. You can always refinance to a lower rate without the risk of having your rates go up unexpectedly.
Now class you just have to sell your house. And that is a completely different course. Good Night.
