Expert Tips for First-time Homebuyers in Philadelphia

Saving money for a long time to buy your dream home in Philadelphia finally gives results, and you have enough to start looking for a place. However, if this is your first time purchasing a property, you should know this is not a simple process. There can be many ups and downs and pitfalls to avoid. Making a smart purchase is all that matters, so let’s look at some of the best expert tips for first-time homebuyers in Philadelphia. At the end of this article, you should be able to make an informed decision.

Go with the pros, do not venture into this adventure by yourself!

The number one tip for all first-time homebuyers is to hire a real estate specialist in your area. There are so many unpredictable situations that can happen; you want an expert by your side.

They have insight into the market, prices, buyer and seller tactics, and the entire technical side of the process.

Without a real estate expert, you will struggle to find the best solutions to situations you are not familiar with.

Pre-approval takes precedence over looking for a home

Browsing through property listings and looking at beautiful homes sure is a pleasant feeling. However, falling in love with a house or an apartment does not mean you will meet the conditions necessary to purchase it. If it slips out of your hands because of the paperwork issues or your credit status, you will feel bad and stressed.

To prevent this from happening, you must get a pre-approval on your mortgage first. Talk to a bank representative or a lender, and once you are pre-approved, you can start your search.

A toy house on a calculator. — You need to get pre-approved to know how much money you have at your disposal.

This is not just useful because of the aforementioned reason. If you are pre-approved, sellers will look at you as a serious buyer ready to commit from start to finish. Furthermore, you will have a clear understanding of how much money you can spend. It is a crucial part of buying a home.

Communicate with your real estate agent about the percentage of commission rebate

One of the mistakes first-time homebuyers often make is not knowing all the possibilities and options they can use. For example, it is common to ask the real estate agent if they can give you a percentage of the commission rebate for hiring them as your agent.

Since you are the one who hires them, they will get paid in the process. Agents are often ready to give the buyer 1%-2% of the rebate back as a thank you. However, if you don’t ask, this may not happen spontaneously.

It’s all about the location

Finding a nice looking home with all the features you need is a vital step. However, consider the location as well. Before you pick your place, you need to choose the neighborhood.

Do not get attached to a lovely apartment or a spacious home if it’s too far away from your usual daily routes. You will waste so much time that you will start considering another relocation just to change to a more suitable location. Choosing a house of your dreams requires quite a bit of thinking.

Know what you want, and act with determination

First-time homebuyers in Philadelphia often rethink their decisions because they are not sure if they have found the perfect place or not.

Two people shaking hands after a closed home purchase deal. — To close a deal on the home of your dreams, be sure to know exactly what you need.

The way to resolve this issue is to follow a few simple steps:

know what you want. Look into Philadelphia home trends, and the most desirable locations
check your budget and know how much money you can spend on a home
ask a bunch of questions about the place, do not be shy. That’s the only way to be sure you are buying the best home for your budget
if you are having second thoughts about committing to a purchase, think about the reason. Is it something vital, or are you just afraid to buy the place thinking there is a better one out there? Usually, your inner feelings are correct, so learn to listen to them. Also, it is a good idea to put all your requirements on paper. It makes it easier to see if you are making the right call or not.
remember, it is crucial to act with determination when you find the home that meets your requirements. Waiting for too long may backfire, and the seller could decide to go with another buyer.

If you think there is a perfect home – you are wrong

Starting with the assumption that you don’t have an infinite pool of money, the fact is you may never find a perfect home. Every place you will look at has at least one flaw. However, that should not hinder your determination.

It all comes down to waging what flaws you are ready to go with, and when is the time to pass and wait for something else. With that said, you will most certainly find a home that will meet your needs. You just have to be patient and look hard. Listen to the advice of your real estate agent, and you will be much closer to making the right decision.

When the time comes, move with ease

Once you finalize your purchase and become a proud owner of your first Philadelphia home, it is time to start making moving arrangements. To organize a relocation that is smooth and simple, it is crucial to work with the right people and start planning on time.

A woman and a man packing boxes for a relocation. — Moving to your new place can also be smooth and easy if you hire the right movers.

Even though purchasing a home may take more time than you intended, you can still get in touch with movers, ask about the best deals, and have a close view of what everything will look like.