Buying a new home is an adventure. Figuring out what home you want to live in and in what neighborhood can be stressful, but with a little organization, things will go by smoothly. If you don’t know how to begin this adventure, start by asking yourself a few important questions: Where do I see myself in five years? Do I want to live in a neighborhood with a strong community? Where can I go with my current finances? How do I set myself up financially to move into the home of my dreams? At Ace Mortgage, our mortgage services in Pompano can help you achieve your financial goals by finding a loan that best fits your needs. When you’re ready for our assistance, we’re just a phone call away.
Until then, you need to make a few important decisions and calculate numbers to create your budget.
What Can I Afford?
This is the first question you should ask yourself. Unless you’re wealthy, you will face some limitations in terms of where to live. If you have a list of places you would like to move to, figure out what the price point is for each of these locations. From there, you should find out:
- The most affordable community in your list
- Property taxes in each area
- Current mortgage rates and the best mortgage to select (our mortgage services in Pompano Beach can help you there!)
- Your monthly payments
- Escrow payments
When asking yourself what you can afford, you should also factor in cost of living. Make a budget of all your basic living expenses, like groceries, gas, etc., and how it might impact where you end up living. Some cities have a higher cost of living than others, so if you want extra money for travel, gym memberships, and dining out with friends, you should choose a city with a low cost of living.
Where Do I Want To Live?
As you know, money isn’t the only factor to consider. When buying a home, it’s important to pick somewhere that offers a better quality of life. To help you decide, you should ask yourself:
- Do I like temperatures that are warm or cold?
- Do I prefer the quiet, or a bustling city?
- Will this location allow me to enjoy my outdoor hobbies?
Asking these questions and finding their answers is so important when choosing where to live. When you buy a home, you intend to live in it for several years. If you don’t enjoy the hot weather, the noisy neighbors, and how small the oceans waves are for surfing, then you will end up miserable. Don’t rush this step. Take your time to ask the right questions and find their answers.
Visit Where You Want To Live
Researching a location is necessary, as it provides basic information on what the area has to offer. But nothing compares to visiting the area. If you can spend a couple of days exploring, it will give you a better feel of the community and help you decide if this is where you want to live. It’s recommended that you visit during the week, when the city is bustling and showing its true colors.
Work With A Good Real Estate Agent
It’s advised that you work with a real estate agent who knows the area well and can advise you on the best neighborhoods based on your preferences. You should also ask if the house will be easy to sell when the time comes. The agent should know if the home and neighborhood is attractive to home buyers and specifically tell you why it is.
Contact Ace Mortgage
We hope these steps have provided more information on how to choose a home. When you need to obtain your mortgage, contact Ace Mortgage. We help homeowners navigate the mortgage market. We will find competitive loans, help with your application process, and if you have a low credit score, we will work with you to find the right home loan. For mortgage services in Pompano, call today at (954) 637-7012.