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If you’ve narrowed down your choice, or are just beginning to look for a new house, you may be eager to place an offer, especially if it’s your dream house. If you’re buying in a competitive market, you may feel pressured to make an offer on a house the moment you leave the house.
Before you write an offer, make sure you have investigated the house and neighborhood, so you can be 110% sure you see your family living there. Your Shorewest, REALTOR® will help you gather information on the community, but here are 11 things you can do as well:
- Search for neighborhood information online. Even if you’ve done your research already, it’s always worthwhile to search local newspaper websites, local government sites, community sites and blogs to find out about your community, upcoming developments, schools and more.
- Check the crime report. Your local police station will have statistics on crime.
- Check the schools. Even if you don’t have children, buying a home in a good school district is an important way to make sure your home maintains its value. Check out the districts website and test results/ranking overall.
- Check for neighborhood amenities. If you’re buying within a homeowner’s association, you can usually find the information online. Research community gatherings, sports leagues and more.
- Check for local amenities. Check out how close the grocery store is. If you have a particular activity you enjoy, find out how close that activity is to your new home.
- Visit the home at different times of the day. Visit on a weekday, week night and weekend to see how quiet or active the area is.
- Test your commute. By checking out the commute at different times of the week, you can determine how much of an impact traffic has on your enjoyment of your new home.
- Schedule a home inspection. When you place an offer on the property, this should factor in the home inspection. You need to know what repairs need to be made and what the costs will be.
- Talk to the sellers. You can ask about renovation projects, the community and the house.
- Ask about taxes, homeowner association dues, insurance and utility bills. Your monthly housing payment will include taxes, insurance, homeowner association dues, utility bills, etc.
- Make sure you can afford it. Make sure you will be able to pay your mortgage payment and still have money left over.
If you think you’re ready to make an offer on your dream house, contact a Shorewest Agent today.
Tags: buying a home, current housing market, Home Buying, Housing Market, living in milwaukee, Milwaukee, real estate market, shorewest, Shorewest Realtors, tips and advice, Wisconsin, wisconsin real estate
Categories: Home Buying
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