Buying Your First Home

If you’re like many people, you’ve been living in an apartment while you wait for the right time to buy a house – but how are you supposed to know when it’s the “right” time, and what happens if you wait too long?

Buying your first home is an emotional experience. It’s a bit scary, definitely exciting, and certainly stressful.

The good news: you can make it all easier on yourself.

Save Money Ahead of Time

In order to buy your next home, you’ll have to build up your savings so you have enough for your down payment, closing costs and moving costs. You’ll also need to have savings set aside for home repairs once you move in – it’s always best to be prepared for the worst so you’re not caught off-guard as a homeowner.

Simpler is Usually Better

Buying a home is exciting for anyone – but remember that you’ll be living in your new house for the next 10, 15 or 30 years (or longer!), so you don’t need to go overboard on major purchases right as you’re buying.

You may have to purchase appliances, a lawn mower and other essentials, but it’s nearly always a good idea to wait on other big-ticket purchases (such as new furniture) until you’re settled in.

Learn DIY

Living in a rented space is quite a bit different from living in your own home. Until now, you’ve been able to contact your landlord when things go wrong (and hopefully he or she responded quickly).

However, you’re your own landlord now… and that means you’re going to want to save money while making minor repairs on your own. It’s perfectly acceptable (and usually preferable) to fix your own leaky faucets, seal your own deck or handle other minor repairs.

Just remember to know your limitations. Some projects require expert help, and you could make the issue worse if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Are You Buying a House in Lake City?

If you’re thinking about buying a house in Lake City, FL, we can help.

Call us at 386-243-0124 or contact us online. You can explore our Lake City real estate listings while you’re here, or you can browse:

From Renting to Owning: What You Need to Know