Real Estate Facts for Buyers
Homeownership is one of the most important steps you’ll ever take. It often involves buying, selling, moving and financing. To make the best decision possible, you need to know the facts and work with a qualified real estate professional, like the ones at Metro Brokers/GMAC Real Estate.
Your Metro Brokers/GMAC Real Estate sales professional has effective and proven processes in place to help you find an Atlanta home for sale or sell your current residence. This process will help bring the right buyers to your door — ultimately closing the deal.
As a current or potential Atlanta home buyer, knowledge of each step of the home buying process is very important and could mean the difference between selling your home today or months down the road. Here are some crucial facts known about real estate in today’s market:
FACT #1 You probably can get a home protection plan when you buy a house, whether it’s old or new. When you buy a new house, the builder should give you a protection plan to guard against faulty materials or quality of work. With older homes, buyers in most states can now obtain a home warranty to protect them against major repair expenses and breakdowns. To get more information on Atlanta new home communities, utilize our new home community search tool.
Note: Ask your Metro Brokers/GMAC Real Estate sales representative for more information about home warranties.
FACT #2 You can typically arrange better terms if you check out financing before you look for a home. A home loan is based on your income and credit rating. Knowing what you can afford helps you bargain more confidently with sellers. Contact Metro Brokers Financial at 404.847.2525 for more information or visit our website.
FACT #3 Quality of construction is important when you buy — even if you don’t expect to be in the home very long. You can’t afford to overlook quality of construction in a home purchase. Poorly built homes can require costly repairs and maintenance and can waste energy, too. Look for a house that works efficiently with a minimum of cost and aggravation on your part. You can search Atlanta homes for sale here.
FACT #4 Paying for a professional inspection before you buy can be a small price for protecting your big investment. Professional home inspections cover the house from foundation to roof, including plumbing, wiring, heating system, and so forth. The whole process takes only a few hours, and the cost is nominal when you consider what it could save you in the long run.
FACT #5 Commuting costs should be considered when making a purchase decision. Take time to calculate your commuting costs to work, school, shopping areas and recreational facilities. With the rising costs of gas, long commutes can be costly. In addition, insurance is higher for longer commutes and parking costs might be incurred. You can find more information about Atlanta insurance quotes and which companies we work with through Metro Brokers Insurance.
FACT #6 The waiting game is a losing game. If you’ve put off buying a house waiting for prices to come down, you could end up losing. While you wait, you live with less house than you probably could afford, spending money on rental payments that could be going toward your own home.
FACT #7 Your equity in a home builds faster if you assume an existing mortgage. When you assume a mortgage, you’ll probably need a larger down payment — but it can be worth it if you find an assumable mortgage on the right house. For more information on home mortgages, visit Metro Brokers Financial.
FACT #8 It pays to look for an “anxious” seller to get the best buy. The more anxious a seller is, the more likely you are to get a better bargain. Sellers often become anxious when a house has been on the market a long time and their moving day is drawing near.
FACT #9 As an apartment renter, you may face the dilemma of either buying your unit or moving out. Owners of apartment houses sometimes convert their buildings into condominiums. Consider the option carefully. If the terms are right, you could stay where you are and start enjoying the tax benefits of homeownership.
FACT #10 A condominium purchase agreement has an important bearing on your rights — and expenses — as an owner. Atlanta condominium owners are buyers purchasing more than dwelling units — they’re purchasing a relationship with their neighbors. Owners decide how much to spend on repairs, improvements, management, recreational facilities and more. Know where you stand before you sign any contracts. Consult your Metro Brokers/GMAC Real Estate sales professional for more information regarding condominium living. If you do not have one, find an Atlanta real estate agent here.
FACT #11 As a buyer, the services of an Atlanta real estate professional may cost you nothing. The real estate commission fee is paid by the seller. And, since a majority of homes are sold through Atlanta real estate representatives, the overall marketplace has the commission built in.
Latest Metro Brokers News
11/26/2007 - Metro Brokers Agents Reach the Summit
Almost 200 of Metro Brokers' top real estate sales associates attended the 2007 Summit Club Retreat at Brasstown Valley Resort for two days earlier this month. Sales associates eligible for the event attained $3 million or more...Complete Story.
11/21/2007 - End-Of-Year Savings From BDMG Communities
Several of the communities affiliated with Metro Brokers/GMAC Real Estate's Builder-Developer Marketing Group (BDMG) have announced huge savings on homes purchased before the end of the year...Complete Story.
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