First Time Home Buyer ? Here are some tips to get you started on your NH Real Estate journey.

First Time Home Buyer ? Here are some tips to get you started on your NH Real Estate journey.

1. Be choosy, be informed, take your time, but don’t be unrealistic. There is no such thing as "the perfect home".
2. Do your homework before you start looking. Decide specifically what features you want in a home and which are most important to you. Making a wants and needs list is very helpful for this stage.
3. Get your finances in order. Review your credit report and be sure you have enough money to cover your downpayment and your closing costs. A mortgage lender can help you plan and budget.
4. Don’t wait until you find a house to get a loan. Talk to a lender and get prequalified for a mortgage before you start looking at homes.
5. Don’t ask too many people for opinions. It will drive you crazy. Select one or two people whose advice you value when you need a second opinion.
6. Decide when you could move. When is your lease up? Are you allowed to sublet? How tight is the rental market in your area?
7. Think long-term. Are you looking for a starter house with the idea of moving up in a few years or do you hope to stay in this home longer? This decision may dictate what type of home you’ll buy as well as type of mortgage terms that suit you best.
8. Don’t let yourself be house poor. If you max yourself out to buy the biggest home you can afford, you’ll have no money left for maintenance or decoration or to save money for other financial goals.
9. Don’t be naïve. Insist on a home inspection and if possible get a warranty from the seller to cover defects within one year.
10. Get professional help. Consider hiring a REALTOR® as a buyer’s representative who will work for you. Often, buyer’s reps are paid out of the seller’s commission payment so there is no extra cost to you to have someone on your side.