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Moving On? 4 Tips For Affording And Maintaining Your First House

By Kara Masterson | April 26, 2017

Owning your first house is an exciting process and is considered to be an accomplishment. Although you may be excited about decorating and settling in, it's also important to have peace of mind that you can afford to purchase and maintain the property. When you're ready to make on offer on the house, there are a few important tips to follow.

Determine Your Budget
Calculate your household income and multiply it be two or three to get an idea of what you can afford on the market. Your debt to income ratio and the amount of down payment that you have available will also influence your mortgage payment each month. What you can afford will also be impacted by the interest rate that you obtain through a lender.

first-time buyers

Consider Extra Expenses
Several different expenses come with owning a home that many people don't take into account. Homeowner's insurance, HOA fees, property taxes, and the cost of landscaping will all need to be factored into what you can afford to pay. If you're purchasing a larger home, you'll need to expect to pay more for the cost of utilities each month. Repairs will also need to be performed on the house throughout the year and should be easy to afford to maintain the property value.

Hire a Real Estate Agent
A real estate agent from an agency like The Clement Group at RE/MAX Properties, Inc. can help you determine what you can afford by getting you prepared for extra costs that are associated with the purchase of the home. You'll need to save extra money for the closing costs which cover the fees of title insurance, application fees, credit reports, home inspections and lender's policy title insurance. Consider getting a no-closing-cost mortgage to avoid paying for the upfront fees at the closing.

Hire Professionals
Hiring different types of professionals is key to keeping your home beautiful and functional for many years to come. You'll need to hire a roofer to inspect the roof ever six months and identify areas that need to be repaired. You may also want to hire a landscaper to trim the trees and prevent the branches from coming in close contact with the building.

When you're ready to purchase your first home, several steps will help you to afford and maintain the setting. By being prepared, you can have peace of mind knowing that the house can be enjoyed for many years to come.

Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah, writing on behalf of Foxfire Realty, Inc.. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max.
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