Buying a Home

Answers to Common Home Buying Questions

The process of buying a home often begins with excitement, but sometimes it ends up being a chore. As always, good, proactive planning will help smooth out the process. Here are some quick answers to a few common questions.

• How much are you willing to pay when buying a home? Before starting the home buying process, be sure to determine the amount you’re willing and able to spend.
• Should I obtain pre approval for a home loan in advance? Yes, absolutely! Obtaining your loan pre approval will help you know the amount you can afford to pay and you can submit your pre approval with any home purchase offers. Without pre approval your offers won’t be taken seriously.
• Is it advisable to select a friend as a representative for buying or selling a home? While it may seem promising, it can also pose risks. We advise exercising caution. In fact, a few years ago, we penned a helpful post tailored for those contemplating the choice of a friend as their Realtor.
• Should I buy a home based on location or price? It’s always best to decide on several different neighborhoods you might be interested in living before starting your home search. Research the neighborhoods, check out the shared amenities, proximity to schools and other local conveniences. To help you save time, we’ve published extensive reports on most neighborhoods in Santa Clarita.
• How far ahead should I plan to live in the home I buy? 5 to 10 years. Be sure to plan for the future!
• How to make best use of time when searching for homes to buy? Install our Gregory Real Estate Group home search app on your phone or use our web based home search. Better yet, work with us and we’ll notify you when homes meeting your criteria come on the market.
• What are the most common additional costs buyers should watch for when purchasing a home? There are many, but if buying in Santa Clarita, watch out for hidden bond assessments such as Mello Roos. Also beware of rising property insurance costs.
• How to avoid having your offer rejected? Look at homes that are priced slightly below the amount you are willing to spend. This will allow you the flexibility to make an offer above the listing price. The more popular homes often sell for MORE that the asking price.