Buying a new home can be stressful. Having to deal with realtors, open houses, and other “buying a home” woes can take its toll on your memory. Don’t let anything slip through the cracks when planning your next realtor runaround. Here are some things you absolutely can’t forget to ask when looking for a new home.
Do I have the option to rent? – If a house you’re looking at has an option for you to rent, you’ll want to know for sure. Renting your home can save you from having to put a large amount of money down up front. Instead, you can save yourself some costs and make it easier for those who aren’t quite ready to buy, or don’t have amazing credit.
How is the neighborhood? – The neighborhood can be a huge factor in the kind of life you’ll have in your new home. If the local crime rate is high, or the neighbors report a lot of noise complaints, you may want to look into a different area. Another good reason to check out the neighborhood is to make sure you’re getting a good deal on your new home. If area prices are much lower, you may want to haggle a bit.
Why is the house for sale? – If the previous tenants are leaving, you want to make sure you find out why. They could just be packing up and moving on to the next chapter, or they could be fleeing a termite infestation. (Or ghosts!) Make sure you do some investigating about why the house is up for sale, so you can be aware of any immediate problems you may have to fix after you move in.
Don’t let any real estate questions go un-answered. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to buying a new house, because you’ll probably be living there for years to come.
