Top 8 Factors to Consider Before Buying a House

Whether you’re buying your first home ever or looking to relocate, one thing is certain – it is one big financial decision. As you’ll see when starting this undertaking, purchasing a home takes a lot of time and resources. As such, doing proper due diligence and buying a house that you like is of the highest importance. Below are several points that should ease the overall process.

1. Budget

Wanting to learn how to buy a house in CA is one thing; having the capability to do it, is another. You can have a clear picture in your head of what that lovely new home would look like, but you have to stay within your budget and not purchase a house only to live in debt. It is all about managing emotions, so you don’t end up dealing with a mortgage loan that you can’t handle financially. Purchasing a house will be one of the best life changes you can make, so you don’t want to end up with a long-term liability. 

2. Location

Once the max budget is decided, the next step in the equation is the house location. The general environment is important, but also your neighbors. There are locations where neighbors are constantly in and out, so the street is pretty busy. Also, there are places where the neighbors are mostly quiet if that’s what you would prefer. Also, take your time to check for nearby daycares, schools, and infrastructural facilities.

3. Property Age and its Condition

Now, when it comes to the house’s age, some people prefer just brand new and nothing else, while others prefer more old-fashioned styles. As long as it has all the amenities, and you believe will make you happy, go for it. However, you have to be aware that both choices have pros and cons, so you need to be comfortable with those as well. For example, older houses might require certain renovations and more often, re-touches. As you can imagine, this might cost you some extra money, but if the living conditions are great, you should not worry about the house’s age.

4. Distance from Transportation services

From the long list of potential factors to consider when purchasing a house, connectivity and distance from public transit or the freeway are amenities that should not be overlooked, especially if you have to commute to work. Make sure you check how close and multiple transportation facilities you usually use, bus stops, metro stations, and access to express highways. As you will be traveling daily, you do not want to spend countless hours of your life stuck in traffic. This is also important if you have small kids, and you need to drive them to daycare or school.

5. Nearby hospitals 

This is another range of facilities you should have in mind when looking for your dream home. If you can be close to a hospital, or better yet, a medical district, which offers a range of services and facilities, you will be way better off. Children get sick, elderly parents need assistance, and accidents may happen, so the distance to medical centers is imperative.

6. Property Taxes 

When people search for how to buy a house in CA, often one thing is forgotten – property taxes. You can pay property taxes through an escrow account as part of your mortgage payment. But in the cases where they are underpaid, you might end up owning a big payment once the property tax assessment. And even if the taxes are overpaid is not a good thing, as while you might get some of that money back, that means your property value has gone down.

7. Size of the house 

When it comes to house size, there is nothing wrong if you want either a big or small house. It is all about how you picture yourself in it. If you have a bigger family, or you are planning or expecting, it is normal to want to have separate bedrooms, bathrooms, etc. The same goes if you frequently have relatives and other guests staying over. Nevertheless, do remember that this should be a factor that doesn’t rule out the other key factors. If a property meets all your criteria, then maybe a smaller house is ok as well.

8. House Maintenance

Finally, include the home’s maintenance cost in the overall budget. While some projects might be easy to complete, others may take more time and money. The condition and age of the house will play a key role in how much you should plan for repairs and maintenance.

Conclusion

When the time comes for you to buy a house in CA, make sure you don’t rush through the process. Considering the above factors will help you a lot throughout the selection process. After all, it is all about making the best choice, as it is not like you are purchasing your dream house every day. Browse the market, do proper due diligence, and don’t be afraid to ask questions during the process. The more you are informed, the better.