Getting All Your Ducks In A Row Before Buying Your New Home

Posted by Elizabeth on February 4, 2010

Whether it’s your first house or your 5^th house, its imperative that you get everything in order.
Building a home is a big step, but before you can start thinking about paint colors and what kind of couch will look great in the living room, you need to take a step back and make sure to get everything in order.


Make a Budget.
How much can you afford?
Purchasing a home at a price you can afford is key to maintaining homeownership.
Several factors go into deciding how much you can afford on a new home:
1) First, get prequalified for a loan.
2) See how much you can afford for a house payment.
3) How much can you afford for the down payment?
4) Don’t purchase a house that’s over 2 ½ times your actual salary.

Don’t Buy Cheap.
If the price is that low, will the quality be high?
As we’ve mentioned before, though foreclosures come at unbeatable prices, they also come with endless repairs and headaches.
-Keep an eye out for affordable homes in established neighborhoods. 
Not only will your resale value be much higher, you’ll be able to have a home around people who have the same standards of living as you.
Fischer & Frichtel in St. Louis has lowered the prices on their luxury custom homes.
-You want to be happy with your home for years to come – don’t settle.

Choose the Right Builder.
With the plethora of builders the St. Louis area has to offer, how do you choose which one is the best for you?
-Reputation
The best way to learn about a builder is to visit homes they’ve built and talk with the owners. Ask if they’re happy with their home.  Ask how flexible the builder was.  Ask how timely their house was completed.  Would you purchase another home from this builder?  
-Quality of Work
When looking for a home, inspect the quality of the finishes, such as cabinetry, trim work, and paint that they offer.
Ask the builder to review the list of custom features that are standard in each house as well as the safety features and product lines that are used. (Some custom builders do not let you choose the amenities you’d like in your home which can increase the price.  Fischer and Frichtel in St. Louis allows their buyers to pick what works best for them.)
-Does the company offer a Home Center to help you design?
Building a new home is stressful enough.  Be sure your builder offers design help.
Designing a new home is one of the building process’s most enjoyable rewards.  Choose a builder that offers this custom service.

Decide What Area Suits Your Needs The Best.
Deciding which area you’d like to live in will help you to better understand your housing needs.
-Proximity
How close or far away would you like to be from your neighbors?
Do you want to live close to highways, grocery stores, and shopping malls?
-Property
Do you own land that you’d like to build a custom home on?
Do you want to maintain your yard or would you prefer to live in a maintenance-free residence?
-Community
Would you enjoy living in a quaint walking community or a luxury gated sanctuary?
Would you like to live lakeside or in rolling hills?

Once you’ve determined your needs and the type of home you can build within your means, you’re ready to go.
Good luck!