Have you been looking at new homes in your area? Are you wondering what to look for in a house? If so, you’re probably ready to take your home search to the next level. Once you’ve determined your budget and decided where you’d like to live, you can begin looking for a house. For those who are considering buying a new home in a planned community, however, the process may be a little bit different than it would be with a resale. Here are some of the many steps you need to follow when it comes to how to buy a new home:
- Choose an agent to work with. No matter whom you buy a home from, you’ll need a buyer’s agent to represent you in the transaction. This includes both buying a new home when you’re working with a home builder and when you’re purchasing a resale. Your agent will act on your behalf when communicating with the builders, especially when you go to place an offer on a house. Agents also help liaise between lawyers, inspectors, appraisers, and others involved in the home buying process.
- Narrow your search. If you’re wondering how to buy a new home, the first thing to do is to look in the various new home developments in your desired area. In many cases, this will be in a master-planned community. These modern homes typically have all the desired features of home buyers today: open concept living, plenty of spacious bedrooms, en suite bathrooms, gourmet kitchens, and more. BIn many cases, you can actually choose a custom home or add features to the existing home before you move in. Make sure to talk to a builder and your real estate agent about what you’re looking for in a home, and consider the community amenities in your search, as well.
- Get a home inspection. All homes need to be inspected before purchase to make sure that they are structurally sound. You will have to pay for the inspection yourself, but this should be just a few hundred dollars. You can also add additional inspections to your home or engineer’s inspection, such as taking a look at the plumbing, HVAC, or other aspects of the property. However, this is far more common with resales, and a basic inspection should cover everything when you’re buying a brand new house.
- Plan your move. Whether or not you’re selling another house to move into a new one, you’ll need to plan your move accordingly well before you close. Get your packing done early and find out if you need to hire movers or rent a truck for yourself. You can also use this time to get rid of what you don’t need or make arrangements for new furniture delivery.
Have more questions about how to buy a new home or what else to expect in the process? Leave a comment below.
