Tips From a Realtor in Springfield, MO: What to Know Before Buying Your First Home

Posted By: YourFriends AtSWMR In: Southwest Missouri Realty
Date: Tue, Mar 22nd 2016 4:32 pm

Everything you need to know before buying your first home, from a realtor in Springfield, MO.

You’ve made it to this pivotal life moment and you’re ready to buy your first home. But how do you know what home is best for you? While there is plenty of information readily available – internet, family, friends, reality TV, that random guy on the street who you thought was talking on his Bluetooth but was actually giving you unsolicited advice, etc. – it can be tough to sift through the information that you ultimately don’t need. Fortunately for you, Southwest Missouri Realty has assembled a few tips from our talented team of realtors in Springfield, MO to help guide you through the process.

Establish a Budget

This may sound elementary, but yeah, establish a budget. Visit the bank to get pre-qualified, and see what they will lend you. Once you establish this, you can then paint a clearer picture of what you can afford to spend. If you’re still not sure what you can spend after this step, contact one of our realtors; they’ll be more than happy to help.

Bigger Doesn’t Mean Better, But it Does Mean More Expensive

When deciding what size you want your house to be, ask yourself these two questions: how much space do I really need, and what can I realistically afford? You see, the thing with bigger houses is that they cost more money (relatively obvious, right?). But what most people don’t account for are the extra expenses that come with bigger houses (our realtors see this time and time again). Any repairs you have done to the roof, floor, etc. will also cost more money, as well as any maintenance upkeep, because there is more ground to cover.

Look Into the Neighborhood

In order to get the most from your potential property, you want to thoroughly evaluate the neighborhood. This goes beyond the surface of looking at surrounding houses and thinking, ‘oh, pretty!’ Check the crime rate, go door to door meeting different members of the neighborhood, see how conducive the area is for children, etc. – the more you know, the better.

Landscaping

Good landscapers are also good con-artists. That’s not to speak negatively towards them, it’s just a testament to how good they are at what they do. They can turn bland landscapes into something out of a magazine and before you know it you're buying a home for its terrific lawn, when really you just wanted a nice space to call your own. Not only that, but some landscapes that are put together quickly with the sole purpose of impressing potential suitors can cause trouble down the road. With plants, shrubs and trees planted with the short term in mind, the finer details are often overlooked – like the location of said plants and trees. And, if a tree is planted where it shouldn’t, hello porch, deck and sidewalk damage.

Overview from our Group of Realtors in Springfield, MO

Buying your first home is often a strenuous task. But with the above tips from professional realtors in Springfield, MO, you’ll have a proper foundation of know-how for purchasing your first home.

For more information visit our website, or contact us today to talk anything else Springfield, MO real estate (real estate listings, acreage for sale, etc.).

(Information retrieved from myhudsonvalleyproperties.com)