Purchasing your new home can be quite a task. There just seems like there are too many things you need to think about and do! Do you go head first, out on the streets, looking for a home? Do you try to find a real estate agent that will help you with your search? And even after you have found the lodgings of your choice, what are you supposed to do? Pack everything up on a truck and move? Or do you call your cheap movers in Miami to do this work for you? In this article, find out about one of the biggest problems prospective home-owners face – how to save money when buying a house.
Find a good real estate agent
Before you venture out into the cold night in the goal of searching for your new home, we recommend you take a step back and wait a moment. If you want this job done, then you need to do it correctly. For that, you will need a reliable real estate agent. They are the people with experience, which in turn will save you a lot of time and money. Real estate agents often have years of fighting through the house buying process as well as dealing with contracts that come with it. This is why they will have the knowledge and skills you will need to save money when buying a house.
Even though it might seem like a cheaper option for you not to get a realtor, this is often not true in the long run. In fact, you are not the one paying for their services – it’s the seller. There is a “buyer’s agent commission” that’s already in the contract – the seller will expect you have a realtor to help you, so they can charge you for it. Furthermore, getting a real estate agent on your side means that they will be there to negotiate various parts of the contract for you. This way, they will protect you, and you will save money on your Miami move.
There are many ways in which you can find a good realtor. You can talk to your friends, family, and colleges, or go online to websites like Trulia or Zillow.
How to save money when buying a house when working with lenders
Now, getting a house is not cheap – everyone knows that. And you probably will not be in the position to just pay up the full price of the lot in cash immediately. This is why a lot of people use lenders when buying a new home. However, there is a helpful hint about saving money here, too, and it is quite simple. Remember not to make a deal with the first lender you go to.
Different lenders will have different interest rates. This is why it is very important for you to visit a couple of different mortgage companies. When getting a loan, there are various fees included in the contract. They might charge you for processing your mortgage, then there might be loan application or origination fees and many more. You can see all of these in the load estimate, so make sure you have a number of them to compare before you make your decision. Another tip – you can use the quotes you get to negotiate lower rates or fees with other lenders, too!
Find a fixer-upper
Another thing that has gotten quite popular in the recent years is house-flipping. This is the process of getting an old, shabby home, renovating it and then putting it back on the market for a profit. However, you don’t need to participate in the trend in order to save money when moving locally. You can simply decide not to look for one that will charm you and scream that this is your dream home. Instead, search for a place that will need some work.
True, this house will not have plenty of upgrades and custom elements, but it will cost way less money to get. And the repairs will often be less than what you would pay if the house was in the top condition. Another bonus of getting a diamond in the rough is that you can then sprinkle the elements of your personality into the home. Custom fixtures and lightning are relatively easy to install and cheap to get, but they will make your home stand out from the others if they have a personal touch to them. Giving the walls a fresh coat of paint can bring the job to the end. Finally, you will have a home that is yours, as well as cheap.
Figure out what kind of loan you need to save money when buying a house
Another great way to save money when buying a house is figuring out just what type of loan you can get. Many people can get special perks when borrowing money. You can check to see if you are one of them online. For example, there is a VA loan for veterans who do not need to put any money down. They also do not need to pay the dreaded mortgage insurance.
Then, the type of loan you will use depends on your new home’s location as well. If it is not in a major metro area, then you may be able to get a USDA loan. This Department of Agriculture created loan aims to help low-to-median income households with intents of becoming homeowners in the rural parts of the country. Just like the VA loan, the USDA doesn’t require you to put down a payment. Also, the mortgage insurance is pretty low. It is clocking at staggering 0.35% of the loan amount, which can mean a lot to many prospective homeowners. In the long run, this may end up saving you hundreds, or thousands, of dollars.
Conclusion
To conclude, there are a lot of ways in which you can save money when buying a house. One final way would be to store your belongings in safe Florida storage that is also pretty cheap while moving. The moving process can be expensive too, so it is important to find movers that are cheap, but also professional.
