Menu

Buying a Home: Why You Need a Real Estate Attorney


About Me

Buying a Home: Why You Need a Real Estate Attorney

When I bought my first home, I basically signed whatever was placed in front of me. The idea of becoming a homeowner overshadowed any concerns that I might have. Besides, the agent seemed to know just what needed to be done. It was only later that I learned there was some confusion about the location of the property lines. Two years and several thousand dollars later, I finally got things straightened out. When I bought my second home, you can bet that I had a real estate attorney by my side. Everything was checked and double-checked before I signed anything If you are thinking about buying a home, take nothing for granted. Let me tell you more about my experience and why you need your own legal counsel. In the long run, you'll save a lot of time and trouble.

Latest Posts

What A Full-Service Property Management Company Can Do For Your Rental
18 April 2023

Do you own a property that is far away from your p

How A Real Estate Agent Can Help With Houses For Rent
24 February 2023

Looking for a new place to rent can be a daunting

What To Look For In A Senior Apartment Complex
17 January 2023

If you're in the market for a senior apartment you

Tips To Help You Land A Maintenance Technician Job
16 December 2022

Maintenance technician jobs are in high demand, an

Is It Worth Hiring A Property Management Company?
27 October 2022

If you can't quite decide whether or not you need

Tags

Signs You're Ready to Wave Renting Goodbye and Become a Homeowner

In certain situations, renting an apartment really is the smartest choice. However, most people do eventually move on from renting and become homeowners. Owning a home is usually a better financial choice in the long-term, and it gives you more freedom. It's nice to be able to make changes to your home after having to live in a property owned by someone else for so long! So, are you ready to wave renting goodbye and become a homeowner? Here are some signs that you are:

1. You have a down payment saved.

While it is typical for people to buy a home with a mortgage, most lenders do require that you pay for a certain percentage of the home's cost out of pocket. This is called the down payment. You may have heard that you need to save 20% of the home's cost as a down payment, but this is not typically the case anymore. Most lenders require a 10% down payment at most. There are programs through the Federal Housing Administration, or FHA, that will allow you to buy a home with a 3.5% down payment, although it is usually smart to save more than this so your mortgage payments are lower. In any event, you're not ready to buy until you have a down payment saved.

2. You don't plan on moving in the next 5 years.

You don't have to commit to living in the same town for the rest of your life before buying a home. However, you don't want to sell in less than 5 years, as doing so usually results in financial loss. You're ready to buy when you're pretty confident you won't be moving for at least 5 years. For most people, this ties into job stability. You want to know your job is stable for the next five years before you buy a house.

3. You have the time to take on more responsibility.

Do you have time to mow the lawn every week? Are you ready to add exterior maintenance tasks like power washing the driveway and weeding the garden beds to your routine? Owning a home is a lot more responsibility than renting, so you really want to ensure you have the time and motivation to take on these extra responsibilities before you start house hunting. 

Think about the information above as you consider whether now is the best time to start shopping for a home. If you do decide you are ready to buy a house, reach out to a local real estate agent.