100 best tips when you gonna buy a house

Buying a house is one of the most important decisions of your life, therefore you need to make
sure everything goes right. It is a lengthy and complicated process than can sometimes take
months. While being prepared for it is important, it is also crucial to know what to do in every step. This is
why we compiled this list with the best tips for buying a new house.

Preparing to buy a house – 100 tips

1. Do you really need to buy a house?

One of the most important things to consider even before starting looking for houses is to
understand if you really need to buy a house. Some times the cost of the house will not be worth
investing the time, and money into this complicated process.
While everyone would love to buy their own home, sometimes it does not make a lot of sense.

In some situations when house prices are too high, it might be better to rent.
If you are looking for a holiday home, you might even consider travelling to different places
every year. That might be a better solution, and you will avoid all of the headaches that come
with homeownership.

2. Consider renting

Renting is sometimes the best option, and you should consider your situation. If the housing
market is too expensive, or you might want to move to another place then renting is a better
option.
Always consider what the cost of buying a house will be, and the monthly mortgage payments
you will need to make. Sometimes, if you account the taxes and other home expenses, it is a
better to deal to simply rent.

The same goes for vacation houses. The ability to travel anywhere you want is a true sign of
freedom, and in some cases it makes more sense than buying a vacation home. Also, if you
rent a house, you can basically choose a different house and locations for every holiday you are
planning to take.

3. Talk with your partner

One of the most important steps of the process of a buying a house is to talk with your partners.
Understand what goals each one has. Knowing exactly what you want is very important
because it will make the process faster.
Make a list of exactly what both want in the house, and make a checklist that you bring to every
house visit. This checklist is a simple way of making sure the house checks each of your
demands.

You can also use the checklist to give to real estate agents so they know exactly what you are
looking for. It will save you time if you need to talk with multiple agents. You can even email
several agents asking if they have properties with those requirements.

4. Determine exactly the size you need

It is common for buyers to get a little over their heads, and buy a far larger house than you
actually need. You need to be able to determine what is the size you are looking for. This will
help to narrow downt the search for the perfect home.

5. Don’t choosing a house that is too small or too big

Avoid going too small or too big. A small house will be complicated to manage, and you will not
have enough space. While a house that is too big will be difficult to maintain, and it will the costs
of repairs, renovations, and improvements you might want to make.
Nonetheless, from an investment perspective it is better to go too big than too small.

6. What would be the difference in price between buying and building yourself

When looking for a house you should consider all of the options you have available, and one of
them is building a house exactly like you want.
Sometimes it might even be cheaper to hire a building company to build your perfect house just
like you want it, than buying a house that you will have to renovate, and will not make you
completely happy.
You just need to consider that building a house takes a lot of time, but in some cases it might
be the best option.

7. What is the purpose of the house?

Understanding the purpose of the house you are buying is crucial to be able to choose the right
one. Here are the three main types of houses you could be looking for:

● Main home If you are looking for your main home, you might consider taking your desires more seriously.
This is because you will spend a lot more time in this house. Understanding how far away it is
from your work, and services will also be important.
● Vacation house
If you are looking for a vacation home, you need to determine exactly where you want to spend
your next vacations. Also consider how easy it is to rent in that area, in you case you want to
make some money while you are not using the house.
● Investment house

An investment house can be used either to flip and sell for a higher price or to rent out. If you
are looking to flip the house, you need to be aware of how many houses are selling in the area,
and what kind of prices are they selling for. It will be very important to buy under the market
price, to give enough room for you to make a profit.
You could also be looking for an investment house to rent out. In this case you need to consider
the rent prices in the area, and how easy it is to rent. Try to look for houses in cities, or close to
universities, since these tend to be easily rented.

8. How much can you actually afford?

While you are preparing to buy a house it is also important to conside how much you can
actually afford. Consider how much money you have for the downpayment, and how much you
would be able to pay monthly for your mortgage.
Avoid putting yourself in firnancial stress, by spending all your savings on the downpayment, or
buying a house whose monthly mortgage payments will be too high.

9. Make sure you have enough money saved for the downpayment

Another important step of the process is to make sure you have enough money saved for the
downpayment. Some banks and lenders will often accept a lower downpayment, but that will
mean a higher monthly mortgage payment.

If you don’t have enough for the downpayment of your house you can consider choosing a
cheaper house, or even selling some things to make the money. If you have two cars, you might
consider selling one car to have enough money for the downpayment.
You might even delay buying a house for a few months until you have saved enough for the
downpayment.

10. Consider all the costs

It is also essential that you consider all of the costs of buying a house. It is not only the
downpayment, you need a moving company, and a lawyer to help you in the process also.
There are also tax expenses for buying property and potential repair and renovation costs.
You might even want to buy new furntiute to decorate your new home. Make a list of everything
you will need to pay, and add that to the final cost of the house.

11. Can you do the renovation yourself? (DIY)

While some of us are extremely handy, not all of us are capable of painting, and renovating a
home by ourselves. Understanding your DIY limits, and what you will be able to do can help you
narrow down what houses you should buy.
If you are extremely handy, or your partner has a background in construction you can even
consider a house that is in a rough condition. This can help you determine the type of houses
you will be looking for.

12. Consider a fixer-upper

If you are handy, or you have access to good construction prices you can consider a fixer-upper.
This is an easy way to get a house well below the market value, that you can renovate
according to your own taste.
It is a great way to getting a more unique house, with the only disadvantage being that you need
to wait before the house is ready.

13. Always consider the tax costs of buying

Considering the tax costs of buying a house is extremely important. If you are planning on biying
a house overseas you need to make sure you consult with a lawyer and an accountant to
understand the legislation in the country and the costs associated with buying a house.
In some countries you can expect to pay 10% or more in taxes over the cost of the house. So it
is very important to understand what the total tax expense will be.

14. Location should be your main concern

Location is one of the most important things to keep in mind when buying a house. It could even
be said that location is more important than the house itself. The best house in a bad
neighborhood will never be worth much, while the worst house in Beverly Hills will always be
worth something.
Choosing the right location will make your house easy to sell, and it will also ensure that its price
keeps rising overtime. Always consider the houses in the same location, to see if their prices are
rising. Try to understand the demand for houses in the area, and how it can affect the value of
the property you are about to buy.

15. Keep your spending in check before you buy the house

While you are looking for a house you want to keep your spending low. There are two reasons
for this. One of them is that you might run into more costs than what you have initially predicted.
The second reason is that if you are looking to get a mortgage from a lender, your bank
statement will look a lot better if you don’t have massive spending here and there. So keep that
in mind when you are looking for a house to buy.

16. Be prepared to wait

Buying a house takes time. You need to shop around, inspect the property, make an offer, and
talk to lots of people. Don’t try to rush the process. Everything takes its time, and rushing could
mena you make a bad purchase, or go over your budget or the real market value of the house.
For these reasons you need to be prepared to wait during the whole process, because it can
take quite a while.

Mortgage tips

17. Use a mortgage calculator

If you are thinking of buying a house and applying for a mortgage, make sure you visit the
different bank webapges, and use their mortgage calculator. This should help you narrow down
exactly how much you will be paying.
It can also help you to find the bank with the best rates, and the best mortgage.

18. Get preapproval

Even before you start house shopping you want to make sure you visit your bank and ask for a
mortgage preapproval. This is an extremely important part of the process. Not only will it be
easier and faster to close the deal once you have chosen the house, but you will also know
straight away exactly the price range you should be looking for.

19. Check assistance programs

Depending on the country you are looking to buy a house, or your age there are some
governmental programs that can help you. From assistance programs, to tax benefit programs,
you should know if there are any programs that you can benefit from.

20. Visit various banks

The first thing you should do is to visit your bank and talk with your account manager about
mortgage conditions. But this does not mean that you should not check what other banks have
to offer.
Make sure you visit as many banks as possible, to get the best mortgage you possibly can.

21. Compare different offers

Once you have all of the offers and the details you should carefully consider them. This allows
you to choose the most advantageous mortgage with the best conditions.
If you are not very experienced in finance, lending, or banking you might want to consider
getting advice froma financial planner. A financial expert will be able to advise you on the best
mortgage depending on your personal situation.

22. Consider the rates and the fees

If you are doing the mortgage application process all by yourself you need to consider both the
rate of the mortgage and the fees associated with it. While most of the times the lowest fees,
and rates are the best option, that is not the case everytime.
Carefully check the conditions of each mortgage, and make sure you read all the requirements,
and the contract.

23. Can you get ifnnacing for renovations

If you want to change some things in a house, or buy a fixer upper, you can ask your bank if
they will finance the renovations. This is a simple way of getting a house of getting credit to fix
the house the way you want it.
If you are doing all the renovations out of your own pocket, it will be a lot more expensive
upfront.

24. Consider the mortgage rate fixed vs variable

Finally, you will need to consider if you want a fixed or a variable rate. While a variable rate
could mean a lower payment in the short-term, it can also be a double-edged sword. The
reason is that when the variable rates increase your monthly mortgage payments can go up.
For this reason, and considering we are in an inflationary period, it is always better to consider a
fixed rate. A fixed rate even if it is more expensive in the short-term, ensures that you will have
to pay a fixed amount every year.
Another advantage of a fixed rate, is that inflation goes up a lot your payments will be relatively
low when compared with salaries, and the value of your house.
House shopping tips

25. Talk with as many real estate agents as possible

When you start shopping for a house it is important to talk with as many agents as possible. Do
you remember that checklist we told you to make with your partner? Email every real estate
agent in the area that checklist, and tell them you are looking for houses in certain locations with
those characteristics.

Take advantage of the fact that real estate agents work on a commission basis. That means
they will be on the market looking for houses with the requirements you gave them without even
being paid.
This can save you a lot of time, and you will be presented with a lot of offers.

26. Ask real estate agents about off-market properties

Another interesting way to shop for houses is to ask real estate agents if they know any property
that might be for sale, and it is off-market. This means that the owner might be willing to sell the
house, but has not yet listed it.
This could be a great way to find real estate deals, and to get the house you want without being
shown to other potential buyers, that could offer a higher price than you.

27. Always consider the location

Location really is one of the most important parts of buying a house. When you are looking for
houses, always consider the distance between the house, and services, like pharmacy,
supermaket, and even your work.
Also consider how valuable houses are in that area, and if they are sold easily or not. Ask your
real estate agents that, and try to understand if that area will go up in price or not.

28. Look at areas you already know

Because location is such an important part of buying a house you want to stick to areas you
already know. This allows you to understand better not only the value of the house, but also
what the best places are.
If you are buying a house in an area you know nothing about it will be very difficult to make a
good deal.

29. Make a list with the best locations

Making a list of the best locations is another important step of this process. When you contact
real estate agents, let them know exactly which areas you are interested in. This makes it easy
to narrow down exactly what houses will interest you.
Remember that the worst house in Beverly Hills will still be worth more than the best house in a
bad location.

30. Was the house sold a lot in the past

If there is a house you are interested in you need to ask the real estate agent how many times
the house was sold in the past. A house that has changed hands multiple times can indicate it
has some problems, and that is something to consider.
Understanding when the price of each transaction is also important. Try to ask that to the real
estate agent, or the seller, since it will allow you to understand if the value of the house has
appreciated.

31. When was the house was built?

It is also crucial to understand when the house was built. Newer houses will often be more
valuable because they should have less problems. However, some older houses that are
renovated and improved can also be interesting buys.

32. Consider security

You should also consider how safe the area is. This is why it is important to stick to locations
you already know. Ask about robberies in the area, and you can even ask the police if they had
any incidents in that neighborhood.

33. Monitor every real estate agency, and property websites

If you are looking for the perfect house you need to first spread the word out through real estate
agents, and then look for it yourself. This means checking real estate agencies websites, and
real estate websites.
Bookmark those websites, and make sure you visit them once a week. This allows you to be up
to date with new deals, and newly listed houses.

34. Did the previous owners renovate the house?

If the previous owners renovated the house multiple times, this is usually a very positive sign. It
means that they care about the property, and everything is working as it should.
What you should be careful is if those renovations where large projects. This could indicate that
the house has structural problems that might have not been fixed completely.

35. Ask for the house plan

If you like a certain house but you want to make some changes the best is to ask for the house
plan. This allows you to see how you can renovate the house, and if you want to get an
accurate price you will need to have the house plan.

36. Understand if the seller is willing to negotiate

When talking with the real estate agent you need to understand if the seller is willing to
negotiate, and how willing they really are. A few questions you should ask include:
● Has the house received any offers?
● Are the owners moving?
● Are they buying a new house?
If the house has not received any offers, then you might be able to negotiate the price and get a
good discount. If the owners are moving, they might need to sell the house to buy a new one.
This can also make it easier to get an even better price.

37. Consider what other costs are associated with the house

In some cases, especially apartments there will be maintenance and condominium costs that
you need to pay. You need to add these costs to your monthly mortgage payments to
understand how much the house will finally cost you.

38. Always make an offer below the asking price

Even if the owners are not very willing to negotiate always make an offer that is below the
asking price. This will allow you to see how they react. If they counteroffer with a price that is
closer to your offer, you just saved yourself some money.
If they counter with a low price, even if its higher than your offer it could signal that they will be
willing to give you a good discount.

39. Take your checklist and keep a notepad when visiting houses

Always take your checklist, and carry a notepad when visiting a house. It should be just like a
field trip, but in this case it is a house buying trip. Make sure you write down every detail you
need to remember. Try to take notes on the condition of the house, and any information the
seller and the real estate agent share.

40. Take a measuring tape

You should also take a measuring tape with you, and measure all the rooms. This allows you to
understand exactly how big each room is, and the furniture you will be able to put in there. It
also allows you to understand if you will need to buy new furniture or not.

41. Outline the house architecture plan

Are you good at drawing? Or are you an aspiring architect? If so this step should be easy! When
visiting a house you should sketch out the house plan. This is a very important step, because
you might need it later when comparing houses.
You will also use it to understand where you might place the furniture, and the decor you want to
have on each room.

42. Avoid bidding situations with other buyers

One situation you should always avoid is bidding with other buyers. This will only drive the price
of the house higher, and you might even get emotional about it.
This is a sure way to overpay for your house, which can wipe out the potential value
appreciation the house will have.

43. Consider house auctions

Even if you should avoid bidding wars with buyers, that does not mean you can’t take
advantage of house auctions. House auctions can be a great way to buy a property under
market value. Consult the house auctions in your area, and inspect the homes before bidding.

44. Seasons matter

An important aspect to keep in mind is that seasonality has an impact on house prices. This is
especially true for vacation homes. A vacation house close to a beach will have a higher price
and a lot more buyers in the summer. For this reason you should try to look for houses during
the low season. That means shopping for holiday homes in the winter, and looking at investment
and your main home during the summer.

45. Go to open houses

Open houses are great! The food is always a nice touch, and you have the chance to know a
new real estate agent, and check a new location. You might also get some ideas, and
understand how houses are selling in that area.

46. Remember your budget

While you are house shopping it is easy to forget your budget, and start looking at more
expensive options. This is something you should always avoid, because you need to stick with
your budget.
Don’t even consider houses that are far from your stipulated budget.

47. Consider if your kids’ school is close by

If you have kids and you are looking for you main home you need to consider how close it is to
your kids school. Or maybe you are moving into a completely new city, even then you need to
consider proximity to schools.
You want to avoid having to drive across town just to drop your kids at school. You also need to
factor in the distance from the school and the house to your work.

48. Consider if your work is nearby

You also need to consider proximity to your workplace. How is your commute going to be?
Understanding can help you decide what is the best location for you house, and if a certain
house should even be considered in the final comparison.

49. Try to understand the historical value of the property

When you buy a house it is more than the place you live in, it is an investment. For that reason
you need to consider the property price, and its potential appreciation.
One of the best ways to understand this is to look at the historical values of similar houses in
that area. You can even ask your real estate agent for help, and try to determine if prices in the
are are going up or not.

A property that will increase in price can both serve as a home, and a great way of investing
your savings. Combining a house you like and that will also make you money should be your
goal.

50. Can you build more or expand?

A house that can be expanded or that you can build on the property will obviously have a higher
value. This is something to consider if you are expecting another child, or if you want to create a
small house in the property to receive guests.

51. Avoid a real estate agents

Although it is very uncommon for private owners to list their own houses it happens. If you can
avoid real estate agents, that is the best. To start the house price will be lower, because there is
no commission to be paid to the agent.
On top of that negotiating directly with the seller is far easier than having a middleman, like a
real estate agent.

52. How well houses sell in that area

Another aspect to consider is if houses in the area are selling fast. This is a simple way to
determine how much people want to move there, and if the value of the property will increase
over time.
If there are many people buying a house in that location, it is a great sign, that it is a good
location.

53. Try to find out if anyone has a bought an house in that area
recently

If you can find someone that has bought a house in that same location recently, you can ask
them a few questions. This is a simple way to get better insights into the house you are looking
at. Ask them why they choose that location, and how much they paid for the house.

54. Ignore the advice of real estate agents

It is important to ask questions to real estate agents, but ultimately you should avoid their
advice. They are in the business of selling houses, and they profit if you buy. Therefore they
might not be giving you the best advice possible, since they have a conflict of interest, and they
want you to buy a property from them.

55. Always fact-check real estate agents

Any information that a real estate agent gives you should be confirmed and fact-checked. This
means you should always ask the same question to neighboors and other people that live in the
area. Asking the same question to several real estate agents is also a great way of
understanding if the information is correct or not.

56. Consider what comes with the house

In some situations you will houses listed with furniture, appliances, and sometimes even other
things. Always ask the seller or the real estate agent what is included in the price.

57. Walk around the neighborhood

If you are interested in a certain house, make you sure you take a stroll around the
nieghborhood. See if you like it , and ask if you see yourself living here. It is important to buy a
house in an area you feel like home.

58. Check if there are new buildings in the area

If there is new construction in the area that is usually a great sing. It means that new people,
and real estate developers like the area. It also means that there will be new houses with higher
prices on the area coming to market.
This can help to increase the value of properties in that location, because new buyers will
compare prices.

59. Is anyone in the neighborhood renovating

Another slightly important aspect is understanding if any neighboor is renovating their house.
This is a sign that he will try to sell the house, or is simply investing in his own property.
Either way, it is a great sign that the properties are well maintained and cared for in that area.
Inspect the house tips

60. Say Cheese! Always take pictures when inspecting a property

One of the most important things when inspecting a house is to take as many photos as
possible. This allows you to check things later on when you are deciding to consider a specific
house.

It is also a great way to understand if a certain house needs renovation, or some urgent repairs.
You can also use the pictures to project how your furniture will look in your new house, and if
you will need to buy new things.

61. Ask as many questions as possible

Ask as many questions as you can to the real estate agent. You want to make sure you have all
of the information to make the best deal possible.
Write down the answers to each question in your notepad, so that you can go back to them if
you need it later.
Here are some of the questions you might want to ask the real estate agent:
● Did the house received any offer?
● Is anyone else interested in the house?
● How many people have visited the house?
● Why is the owner selling?
● How long have you been trying to sell this house?
● Did the owner renovate the house?
● When was the house initially bought?
● How long is the owner living here?
● How old are the pipes?
● Who are the neighbors?
● What is included in the sale?

62. If the real estate doesn’t know the answer ask him to ask the seller

If the real estate can’t answer a specific question you can ask him to ask the seller. This
ensures that you get all the information needed to make the best decision. Don’t be shy, and ask
everything that comes into your mind.

63. Visit the house at different times of the day

One of the best tips for buying a house is to inspect the property during different times of the
day. This is important to see the natural light, and noise around the house at different times of
the day.

You also want to check how warm or cold the house is during the morning, afternoon, and night.

64. Check the neighborhood

To determine if an area is good, you need to visit the neighborhood. Make sure you see if the
houses are taken care of. You can also see if there are other houses in that area that might
interest you.
If you are really interested in that house you need to go beyond checking the neighborhood –
let’s meet your neughbors!

65. Talk with your future neighbors

A simple way of getting to know your future neighborhood better is to talk with your future
neighboors. Ask them what they think of the location, and why they like living there. They might
even be kind enough to share some information with you about the house, and the owner.
Write down all of these informations, and use them to your advantage.

66. Get a professional inspector

Inspecting the house is one of the most important parts of buying properties. You need to make
sure that the house is in a good condition, and that you are not being swindled by the seller and
the real estate agent.
It is always a better approach to hire a professional inspectors. Someone that knowns exactly
what to look for, and will advise you in the best way possible.

67. Share your notes with the inspector

You know all those notes you have been taking, now is the time to share them with the
inspector. Ask them questions and share your concerns. They will be able to warn you in case
something is wrong with the house.
Always share all the information you have to make sure the inspection is thorough and detailed.

68. Consider the time of the year you are visiting the house
When visiting a house to buy, you need to consider the time of the year. If you are checking a
house in the summer, you will most likely not see any roof leaks. Always keep in mind the time
of the year, and season you are in when buying a house.

69. Check natural sunlight

One of the things that you need to check carefully is the natural light exposure of the house.
This is why it is important to visit the house during different times of the day. You also need to
understand where is the house facing.
The house orientation could influence not only the natural sunlight, and the temperature inside
the house. It can also be important to determine the energy efficiency of the house, and how
much heating you will need.

70. Choose your own home inspectors

It will be common for the real estate agent to recommend a home inspector, but don’t do it.
Don’t let the real estate agent choose the inspector for you. As you need to make sure you
choose someone independnet that will tell you the truth about the condition of the house.

71. Go with the inspector and take notes

Make sure you visit the property one more time with the inspector and take notes of everything
he says. Ask questions to try to understand better the condition of the house, and if any
renovations are required.

72. Try to notice any new renovations

When an owner renovates a house it can mean two things:
● They take care of the property
● They are trying to hide imperfections
A newly painted wall can be a way to hide mold, or it can also mean that the seller tried to
improve the house before selling. Make sure you understand the difference and the motivations
behind the renovation.

73. Try every tap, and light switch in the house

Your professional inspector will most likely do this for you, but you still need to check it for
yourself. Make sure every electrical socket is working, and the light switches are also working.
It is also crucial to check every water tap, to ensure they are working as expected.

74. Check the materials in the house

High-quality building materials means the house will have a higher resale value, and your the
price should be higher. It also means that you will not have to worry about renovating for a long
time.
Additionally, you can see how much an owner cares about his property with the quality of the
materials he uses.

75. Open doors, and check the closets

Make sure you check the condition of all the doors, because they can be expensive to replace.
You also need to check the closets, to make everything is as it should be and working.

76. Look at the walls

Look for cracks on the walls, and sings of humidity. This ensures that you do not buy a damaged
property that will be very costly to maintain and repair.
This should be done both inside and outside, and you should also check the ceiling carefully.

77. Check the temperature in the house

You do not have to bring a termometer with you, but it is improtant to understand if the house is
cold or warm. Both during the day and night. This is another reason why it is important to visit
the house multiple times before inspecting, and signing the final deal.

78. Inspect the roof carefully

Roofing can be one of the most expensive maintenance costs in a house, and that is why it is so
important to make sure the roof is in good condition. Ideally you should even visit the house
during a rainy day to see in which condition the roof is in.

79. Lift rugs, and remove wallpaper

Yes, this may sound a little paranoid behavior but you would not believe what some house
sellers are willing to do to hide things. Therefore you need to lift rugs to see if the floor is in good
condition. You should also remove a little wallpaper to see if the wall behind is in good shape
(you might have to do this when nobody is looking).

80. How are the plumbing pipes?

Other than the roof, replacing old plumbing pipes can be one of the biggest costs in renovation.
This is why you need to check how clear the water is through the tap. Brown water can mean
rust in the pipes. Ask the real estate agent when the pipes were last changed.
Avoid houses that need to replace the plumbing because the cost will be high, and it will be a
hassle.

81. How is the electrical installation?

Another important part of every home inspection is to check if the electrical installation is
working correctly. You want to avoid having to repair or replace the whole electrical cables on
the house. That will be a costly and lengthy project, that you want to avoid.

82. Compare houses

Once you have visited a few houses, and you have some that you are interested in make sure
you compare them. Use the notes you took, and the checklist, the photos you took and make a
list with the advantages and disadvantages of each house.
This is a simple way to understand which house you are more inclined to choose. Talk with your
partner and try to understand what is the best option.
Closing the purchase tips

83. Always check the house one last time before making an offer

Before putting in an offer you need to visit the house one last time. Ask yourself if you see
yourself living there. Make sure you are making the right decision, and always talk with your
partner to understand where you both are standing.

84. Consider what furniture you will be bringing

When considering what furniture you will have to bring to your new house or if you need to buy
new furniture we have a great tip. Remember that house plan you had sketched? Measure your
furniture and draw it in the sam proportion as the house plan. Then you need to cut it with
scissors.

Then you can put the paper furniture on the house plan, and understand how much space you
will have. This is a simple way to determine if you will need to buy new furniture, and the space
you have available for the things your already have.

85. Don’t be afraid to make a low offer

If you already decided you on a specific house, do not be afraid to make a low offer. It is a good
way to see where the seller stands at, and if you can get a bigger discount the better for you.
Understand what their counteroffer might signal.
If it is low, then you can get a good discount. If the counteroffer is higher, you might need to
raise your price significantly.

You can also ask the real estate agent how much he thinks the owner is willing to take. This one
of the few advices from real estate agents you can take. They want to make the deal happen so
they will give you a very close estimate to the lowest price the seller is willing to take, to close
the deal.

86. Don’t rush into the offer

If you visited a house you loved, and you have not done all the required research do not rush
into an offer. This is very important because it prevents you from making decisions based on
emotion.
You also need to make sure you have all the information needed to make the best decision. You
need to make an informed purchasing decision.

87. Get a second appraisal

If you are getting a mortgage the bank will appraise the house, but you might get a second
appraisal. This can help you determine the right market price for the house, and it can help you
make the right decision.

88. Consider renovation costs

If you are thinkin of changing some things in the house, or renovating a room or two, you need
to factor that into the final price.

89. Don’t worry about insignificant things

Perhaps you do not like the color of the walls, or some other small detail that is not very
important. Remember that painting a wall or changing some things here and there will be fairly
inexpensive compared to the price of buying the house. You can even explain that to the seller,
and make an offer that reflects all the changes you need to make.

90. Get a professional opinion

If you have a friend that works with real estate it might be good idea to get a second opinion.
Share with them the detail of the deal, and the price, and ask for their opinion. This will reassure
you that you are doing a good deal.

91. Don’t chase the market

Sometimes the housing market goes crazy, and it is always better to avoid chasing the market.
When buyers start frenzy buying every house they see, you might want to avoid doing the
same. This prevents you from overpaying for the house. If you buy a house for a price that is higher
than its market value, you might even lose money over the long run.

92. Don’t get emotional

When buying houses it is easy to get emotional. Afterall it is the place we will call home, and we
want the best home for our family. However, you should remember that a house is just a house.
You want to avoid letting your emotions run your decisions, because you will end up overpaying
for the house, and overlooking important aspects of the inspection process.
Oftentimes firs-time homebuyers fall in love with a certain house and they easily get into bidding
wars with others buyers. This is also something you want to avoid.

93. Avoid paying over the market price

If you want to make money on your house purchase you need to make sure you do not buy over
the market price. Ideally you should even buy below the market value, to ensure you have some
room if you want tto flip the house later on.

94. How much should you offer?

The amount of the offer depends a lot on the location of the house, as well as how desirable it
is. Most of the time you will be able to get a 10% discount from the asking price. However, if
there are several buyers interested this might not be possible.

Depending on all of these factors you should come up with an offer between 85% to 90% of the
asking price. In some extreme cases, when a house does not get sold for a long time you can
even go lower, to 75% to 80% of the asking price.
If the house has been visited and has other buyers interested, make an offer for 95% or even
offer the asking price, to make sure it does not get away.

95. Ask the agent and the seller to take the property off the market

Once you have agreed on a price you need to ask the real estate agent to remove the listing.
This prevents any other buyer coming in and offering a ridiculously higher price, which can
completely destroy your deal.

96. Make sure the listings for the house online are removed

You want to avoid moving in, and someone else knocking on your door asking if you are selling
the house. Always make sure the real estate agent or the owner remove all the listings of the
property.

97. Choose your lawyer carefully

Once the seller has accepted your offer you now need to find yourself a lawyer. Make sure you
choose someone that is competent and whose expertise is in dealing with real estate
transactions.
This is extremely important to make sure everything goes as planned, and all the right
information is included in the sale contract.

98. If anything comes with the house make sure it is included in the contract

If you are buying the house with the furniture included, that needs to be written in the contract.
This protects you from later on the seller saying the furniture was not included. Ask your lawyer
to inlciude all the information in the contract to protect your interests.

99. Get the right home insurance

Once you have decided on the house you want it is now time to consider the right home
insurance. Make sure it covers everything you need, and that the cost will not be a monthly
burden on your salary.

100. Store all the paperwork

Once you have bought the property you need to store all the paperwork associated with it. Put
all of the documents in a single place that you can easily access whenever you need.

Conclusion – buy a house

Buying a house can be a tiresome and extremely stressful process. However, with the right
approach and the right tips buying a house can be a lot easier.
We hope that our guide can help you in your house buying journey, from preparation, to house
shopping, and until the deal is closed.