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<\/p>\nStarting your lives together as a couple is an exciting time. The home you choose to buy will be one of the most important decisions you\u2019ll make together as a couple. After all, it\u2019s not only where you will be living and building your futures together, it is a huge financial investment.<\/p>\n
As fun as the experience can be, it can very easily become overwhelming. Knowing what to look for will minimize your chances of making an unwise investment and will help give you peace of mind in finalizing your decisions.<\/p>\n
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Everyone wants the house of their dreams right from the start. But for most young couples, such an investment just isn\u2019t feasible. You might have to go for a smaller home that is older than you prefer, but if you buy in a promising neighborhood and put the necessary upgrades and maintenance into it, you should be able to build an investment that will help you afford to move closer to your goals later on.<\/p>\n
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A home with good bones is what makes the difference between a house with potential and a complete money pit. This is where a home inspection should be almost mandatory to determine the condition of the home. Always check for things like:<\/p>\n
These are just a few things that can add up to big bucks for you if you have to fix them yourself. Request to see the paperwork and warranties on renovations and repairs that the homeowners have made and never be afraid to ask questions.<\/p>\n
Remember, you\u2019re the one who will be living here and you\u2019re entitled to know every last detail about the home. Don\u2019t make the mistake of skipping out on the home inspection in order to speed up the process of getting in.<\/p>\n
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Sure, hardwood floors and granite countertops are nice. But if it means saving a couple of hundred dollars a month in your mortgage payment, go for the less luxurious features. More money in your pocket means that you can make those upgrades yourself later on. But it also enables you to focus on getting to a good place financially in the larger scope of things, like paying off student loan debt.<\/p>\n
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No matter how well you inspect a home and no matter how many times you walk through it, chances are that you will overlook quite a few things about the home. It\u2019s happened to everyone at some point in buying a home.<\/p>\n
After a few months of settling in, issues may surface that you never noticed before. These are things that pass through home inspection because they don\u2019t affect the quality or livability of a home but might become majorly irksome to you.<\/p>\n
A few things to add to your list of things to check could include:<\/p>\n
None of these things are deal breakers if you find a home that is right for you. But, it\u2019s always worth remembering that in the excitement of house hunting could cloud your vision. Keeping your eyes open for the minor details will help keep you from being blindsided or hit with buyer\u2019s remorse. And you can always ask the seller if they would be willing to fix issues like loose floorboards, cracked crown molding, or windows that don\u2019t open.<\/p>\n
Alternately, you\u2019ll want to check for hidden flaws on the outside of the property, too. These can be in the form of things like a neighbor who likes to practice drums at 10:30 at night or uncurbed dogs. The best way to know what you\u2019re getting into is to visit the home multiple times at various points throughout the day.<\/p>\n
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A common mistake that people make when buying their first home as a couple is that the house ends up being way too small or way too big.<\/p>\n
Many people plan on only staying in a starter home for an approximate five years, but life and housing markets have a way of throwing curve balls. So make sure it\u2019s comfortable enough for the two of you to get settled in for a few years beyond your plan if necessary.<\/p>\n
That said, don\u2019t go overboard and take on two extra guest bedrooms with multiple bathrooms if it\u2019s just the two of you and you have no plans of that changing anytime soon.<\/p>\n
Ask yourself these questions:<\/p>\n
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Maybe you\u2019ve found the home of your dreams. But if it\u2019s in the wrong neighborhood, then it\u2019s going to quickly lose its luster. To tell if you\u2019re making a move to the right area, ask yourself:<\/p>\n
Is there easy access to public transportation?<\/b> Not everyone is able to live right in the hub of a vibrant neighborhood or city. This is when having easy access to a dependable public transportation system can come in handy.<\/p>\n7. Find Out About the HOA or Zoning Regulations<\/h2>\n
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Some people swear by Homeowners Associations, others can\u2019t stand them. There are pros and cons for everyone, so if the house you\u2019re interested in falls under an HOA, then you\u2019ll definitely want to inquire on the rules and standards before you agree to live there. Some HOA regulations are so strict, they control what kind of garbage can you can put out on the curb on trash day. These are things you will want to know ahead of time.<\/p>\n
Pets are another thing many people don\u2019t think to ask about when house hunting. Some townships have strict zoning regulations on the kinds of dogs that you can own and how many. And if you have any hopes of putting a chicken coop in the backyard, find out if they\u2019re even allowed first.<\/p>\n
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Being proactive while house hunting is crucial to ensure that you make the best decision for the both of you. However, a great real estate agent can take a lot of the burden off of your shoulders.<\/p>\n
Not all real estate agents are created equal, and just because someone is licensed doesn\u2019t mean that your best interests are their best interests. A great real estate agent will be able to help walk you through everything you don\u2019t know or the things you\u2019re feeling unsure about.<\/p>\n
And most importantly, you should never feel like you are inconveniencing your real estate agent. Remember, you are paying them. If you don\u2019t feel like your agent is your best friend while you\u2019re house hunting, then find one who can be that for you.<\/p>\n
Like This Post? You\u2019ll Definitely Love These:<\/b><\/p>\n Starting your lives together as a couple is an exciting time. The home you choose to buy will be one of the most important decisions you\u2019ll make together as a couple. After all, it\u2019s not only where you will be living and building your futures together, it is a huge financial investment. As fun as the experience can be, it can very easily become overwhelming. Knowing what to look for will minimize your chances of making an unwise investment and will help give you peace of mind in finalizing your decisions. 1. Determine Whether or Not It\u2019s a Good Starter […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":1141,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[167],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1140","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basics","post--single"],"yoast_head":"\n\n