Homebuyer's Guide
Whether you're buying for investment or for a place to live, there are things real estate pros know about buying a home. Learn them so that you can buy your next home like a pro.
- Study local pricing – check with realtors to find areas where prices are accelerating and the average home price is higher than other nearby areas.
- Lock in an interest rate by getting pre-approved for a mortgage; this also tells your potential seller that you're a serious buyer.
- Investing in a growing community can be very profitable, so look for a catalyst, such as new infrastructure in the form of roads and schools.
- Investigate property taxes – find out what the tax rate is per $100 of assessment, when the last assessment was made, and if one is expected soon.
- Look for schools that are moving up or are at the top of the list of school rankings – you can find this information on the state's board of education website.
- As homes become more expensive in a major city or town, surrounding areas with good, or planned upgrades to, major bus and rail transportation will become more desirable.
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