There is a lot of commitment and responsibility that comes with buying a home, regardless of whether or not it will be your first experience. Identifying what features you want is the easy part, what’s harder is knowing where you stand in the current market and defining your individual or familial needs based on where you want to live. From the perspective of a first-time homebuyer, paying rent can be counted as nothing less than a total loss of investment. So if you are not ready today, it’s worth looking into the home buying process, keeping in mind the demands of homeownership.
To help get the gears moving, we’ve compiled a handful of questions to ask yourself, highlighting matters you may want to investigate further so that you’ll be better prepared to approach a realtor with a good understanding of what to expect throughout the process.
Does the home I can afford also meet my needs as well as those of my family?
– Number of bedrooms & bathrooms
– A yard
Does the neighborhood suit my regular commutes?
– To work
– To school
Am I financially stable & secure in my job?
– Is the case the same for my spouse or partner?
– Does my/our income support the mortgage payments?
– Are there any large expenses coming up in the near future?
What are the one-time costs & fees for homeownership?
– Down payment
– Home appraisal
– Home inspection
– Bank Origination fees
– Home-closing costs
– Real estate agent fees
– Moving costs
What are the monthly costs of homeownership, after closing?
– Existing mortgage payments (until your existing home sells)
– Monthly principal, interest, taxes, & insurance payments
– Mortgage insurance
– HOA dues, or Condo maintenance fees
– Utility bills (gas, water, electricity, sewage, & garbage)
– Lawn & property maintenance
– Major home repairs
An experienced agent that’s familiar with the area in which you’re looking to buy can be your biggest advocate throughout the process, so it’s important to take the time to find someone you can trust and develop a relationship with. A good agent will visit homes with you to help identify features that are most important or problems you may not foresee yourself. It’s always helpful to keep a list of important questions to ask or concerns you may have so they’re not overlooked in the excitement of the showing process.
Here at 307 Real Estate, we have a team of experienced realtors who’s knowledge of the Park County real estate market is unmatched. We’re committed to our community, dedicated to supporting organizations and events that make the Cody area a great place to live. With more than 100 years of combined experience in the industry, highly skilled in negotiation so that you get the best value for both the property you’re selling, as well as the one you want to purchase.