Monday, 31 October 2011

Getting Housed

By Carlos Sandoval


Procuring your first home can be nerve-racking, especially for first time home owners. You will be taking care of dozens of legal papers as well as lots of other things.

Before you go searching for your first home, the very first thing you must do is to go to your county clerk and apply for tax exemptions. There are plenty of resources, such as the first time home owners tax exemption and the State Tax exemption that people could use to have a tax break.

Most counties also extend programs where a first time homeowner can have assistance with their down payment, which is always helpful. Next, taxes then should also be studied significantly. You have to be very careful for a number of these housing units have a listing price below the usual but the property taxes are extremely high. Then there are school taxes which must be given attention too, even if you don't have students. If you want to decrease your burden, might as well consider hiring a skillful realtor.

These are well-versed professionals who work on commission but usually take a lot of leg work off your plate. You may discover the other tasks easy on your part, but there are actually instances wherein the realtor's understanding and experience are highly needed. But in the end, a realtor's direction will always be of absolute advantage. Also, understanding those plenty of title reports is a must for aspiring home owners. The title reports provide you with the necessary data, e.g., occupancy title, loans, etc., about the property you wish to buy. This is significant because the property you are interested in may have a tax lien on it or be facing foreclosure.

These are vital points any homeowner should know. If you want to get a less costly house, you might take a look at those which are ready for foreclosure or those which have tax liens. Their owner is unable to pay mortgage or taxes, that is why the bank is seizing the property. I've seen these kinds of properties sell for a third of what they are really worth, which to a first time home buyer is a bargain in itself. Once you find a home and are ready to proceed with the purchase undertakings, you will need a mortgage lender or agent. And please take note of this: Do not put your signature on any papers unless you have analyzed and understood them already. Make sure to read all of them, page by page, and lots of times, before you sign them.

An assurance of a equitable and prudent rate, commission, and closing costs should be a priority. It is just sound to not give more than 2% commission to the mortgage company. Usually, 3% or less of the loan amount is the part granted to the total closing cost minus the escrows. If the total cost is greater than this, that means there are junk fees added to the cost which could not be important in closing.




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