Crucial Tips For First Time Home Buyers

1. Start off on a good foundation:  The very first thing you need to do is to find out how much home you can afford.  If you're moving to a new city or neighborhood, be sure to find out what home prices are there. You may also want to talk to friends or co-workers in the area about the community and other considerations only a local might know.

2. Don't rush on finding the perfect home. Right now, you have the opportunity to take your time and find a home you like. Typically homes are on the market anywhere from 1 month to 6 so you can bet if you find something in the Great Falls real estate market online, you can view it in person soon without it being gone.

3. You may not find your perfect home. The idea of finding the home of  your dreams probably just doesn't exist. You probably won't find Great Falls real estate that has everything you want, and none of the things you don't. Keep a note pad of items and amenities you really desire plus the basics such as size, condition, location, style and price. Then you can decide what you can live with and things you can't live without.

4. Go with the inspector thoughout the inspection. The best way to learn all about possibly your largest purchase is by hiring a respectable and knowledgeable inspector that knows your house and can give you ideas and suggestions for any future repairs or concerns. Even if you plan on buying the home no matter the outcome, it is a great way to learn about your home. 

5. Pay attention to the little things. Just because the home seems like it fits everything you may want, don't get too excited and miss minor concerns.

Pay attention to:

• A strong odor — especially a musty one — as this can lead to bigger mold issures.
• Cobwebs in the corners and dirty windows can say something about the seller and whether or not they kept the things you can't see in decent order.
• Weeds in the lawn and leaves in the gutters usually means the sellers are not doing a good job of keeping the property clean.
• Don't overlook little items like paint or carpet. If these issues haven't been maintained then you probably have more work on your hands after the sale then you bargined for.

6. Get ready to negotiate and be prepared. Buyers really have the upper hand right now and although you don't want to take advantage of anyone, sellers will do quite a bit right now to sell their home. Look for homes that may also have been on the market a while and you may have some heavy bargining power on your hands. As your agent I can help work through all negotiations and be sure you are taken care of.

7. Don't spend all your money on the down payment.   You will need out of pocket expenses for closing costs if you didn't get the seller to pay for them and inspection costs. Also once you move in there will be new expenses you may not have had before such as lawn mowers, yard tools and major appliances. 

For additional information and any help with buying your first home in the Great Falls real estate area don't hesitate to contact my office. I love helping first time homebuyers through the exciting process of owning your first home! 

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Kelly Parks - cell:  406-788-6826

Russ Eustance - cell:  406-788-3363

Larry Hannah - cell: 406-788-1250

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FOR ADDITIONAL REAL ESTATE ADVICE VISIT MY AFFILIATES: For all Sedona real estate and Sedona AZ foreclosures visit my Arizona connections. See my Yuma real estate partner for homes and property in Yuma. For all Pullman WA properties see our Washington connections and also the entire WA real estate mls.