Buying your first home is a major achievement. It’s a sign of your hard work and determination, and it signals the start of an exciting chapter in your life. It’s somewhere you’ll make memories and get to put your own stamp on it, and will most likely be the most expensive thing you own in your lifetime.
But all of the exciting elements aside there’s actually a lot of work that goes into owning your own home, and a lot of stress too! If you’re gearing up to buy your first home, you need to be prepared. Here are 4 things people don’t tell you about buying your first home.
1. It can take a very, very long time to find somewhere you love
Many people have an idea of finding their dream home straight away, but the truth is it takes a lot longer to find the house you’ll end up buying. Properties can look different in real life from how they are in photos, and you can find that properties go really quickly. Williampitt.com is a reputable realtor that will be able to help you find your dream property. Registering for alerts can also help you identify properties as soon as they become available.
2. And when you find it, you might not even get it
The housing market is very competitive at the moment. So even if you get to view a property you really like, you might not even get it! You’ll need to be prepared to compete with other buyers for a good property, and you may need to be ready to go above the asking price in order to secure your offer. Persistence is key, and if you keep trying, you’ll be sure to find something eventually!
3. The buying process can take a long time
One of the main factors you need to keep in mind when buying a home is the length of the buying process. If you want to buy a home in a hurry, you’ll need a transaction that’s going to be straightforward. If you enter a chain, you could be in for a long wait to get the keys for your property. With a property boom at the moment, you can also find that lawyers also have long waiting lists, so it might take longer than usual for your purchase to go through.
4. You’ll need more money than you budgeted for, so budget some more
There are always some unexpected costs involved in buying a house. There can be a lot of fees and surveys to pay, and if you have to spend more money on your down payment, it could mean your budget for everything else is very tight. There are ways you can save some money, however, and cutting the cost of your furniture and your other household items could be e good way to save money.
Buying a house is a bit of a rollercoaster, but the ride doesn’t end once you’ve got the keys! Do your research before you buy so that you’re prepared for the road ahead, and soon you’ll be on your way to buying your first home.
