Buying your first home is one of the most exciting times in your life. However, the experience can also be intimidating. A home is one of the biggest purchases you’ll make in your lifetime. It requires you to follow a complex purchase process and make decisions that will impact your lifestyle for years to come. Learning more about the process can help you avoid getting overwhelmed. Our list of essential tips for first-time buyers covers the basics of finding your dream home and navigating the closing process so you can confidently overcome any worries and enjoy the moment.

Make a Wishlist of What You Want in Your First House

Touring new homes and imagining your family living in them is enjoyable, but you can quickly lose sight of what you’re looking for and your budget. Making a wishlist before you begin the shopping process will help you choose what’s most important and stay focused on those items you can’t live without.

Your first home wishlist should include these essential considerations:

• Are you seeking a new construction home or an existing home?
• What type of home are you looking for? (Condo, townhome, single family)
• How many rooms and bathrooms do you need to accommodate your family?
• How will the location of the home affect your lifestyle? (nearby amenities, parks, schools, etc.)
• What perks do you want in your home? (ample natural light, walk-in closets, stainless steel appliances, private porch or balcony, etc.)
• Know what you don’t want. For example, wall-to-wall carpet can be hard to keep clean, and minimal counter space can be a deal breaker for someone who loves to cook and entertain.

Identifying Desired Amenities

It’s easy to get stuck thinking about the inside of your dream house. However, your neighborhood or community will become a vital part of your lifestyle. Close-knit communities with on-site amenities provide social opportunities for homeowners interested in meeting new acquaintances. Neighborhood green spaces and parks are often non-negotiable for families with children or pet owners.

Your new location will profoundly affect your daily life and overall satisfaction with your new home. Consider proximity to local schools, grocery stores, major roadways, and entertainment. If you have an active lifestyle, you’ll likely want to consider aspects like nearby trails, parks, and bike lanes. Visit the neighborhood you’re considering and get a feel for the general environment to choose the right home for your lifestyle.

Navigating the Closing Process

If you plan to get a mortgage, it’s often best to speak with a mortgage lender about getting a preapproval letter before beginning the home-shopping process. This will help you understand how much you qualify for and will guide your home-buying process.

Closing on a home is the final sprint toward home ownership. It’s a complex process, and you don’t own your new home until closing is complete. The process begins with making an offer with a real estate purchase contract or signing a new home sales contract. As such, it’s important to make sure you’re fully satisfied before signing on the dotted line.

• Don’t skip home inspections
• Purchase adequate home insurance
• Negotiate with the seller if repairs are needed
• Put any concessions you need in writing

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Many first-time homebuyers assume a newly constructed home is out of their reach. Yet, this isn’t always true. First-time homebuyers are often eligible for assistance programs that make a new home more affordable. When you combine such programs with more affordable home types, like townhomes, you can find the newly constructed home of your dreams within your budget. Fiddlers Canyon offers many exciting options for first-time home buyers in Utah’s desirable Cedar City area. Join our VIP list today for more information.

 

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