Advice for First Time Home Buyers
C. Tucker & Co first time home buyer’s, Abby & Bryce in front of their gorgeous new home that was the worth wait!
My husband and I are recent first-time homebuyers in the Athens area. The search for our first home was exciting, but also overwhelming at times. Here are some important things to consider when buying your first home to ensure a relaxed and knowledgeable house-hunting experience.
Allison Gentry and her husband in front of their new house.
Spend time calculating a reasonable budget for your home search and stick to it. How much are you able and willing to pay on a down payment and closing costs? How much are you able and willing to pay on ALL expenses including mortgage payments, insurance, taxes, maintenance, and furnishings? Owning a property is a huge commitment, and it’s imperative that you understand how much time, effort, and financial capital it takes to acquire and maintain.
Don’t get too attached to the first home you set your eyes on. Becoming laser-focused on one particular house during the beginning of your search can potentially lead to great disappointment. Between an offer being rejected or issues surfacing after an inspection, many different things can happen. We toured multiple homes - and even placed an offer on one we thought we loved - but I can confidently say I’m glad we kept our options open. The RIGHT home will fall into your midst, and it will be worth your patience.
Be prepared to make sacrifices. While the goal should be to find a home within your budget that also checks the majority of your boxes, no house is perfect until you make it your own. When touring our current home, we immediately appreciated its size, the large fenced-in yard, and the cozy feel of our layout, but it had cosmetic faux-pas we wouldn’t be able to address until a few years down the road. When buying a home, it's essential to decide what is most important to you and what you are willing to sacrifice.
Choose your agent thoughtfully! This is one of the most important decisions you will make when embarking on your home-buying journey. Hiring an agent who will listen to you, communicate well, and boldly advocate for your dreams and interests is everything. C. Tucker & Co is equipped with the experience and resources you need to confidently purchase the house that best suits your family and make that house your HOME.
Happy house-hunting, and enjoy the process!