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and Surrounding Areas,
Since 1985.
Buying a home for the first time can often seem harder than it has to be. Use these 10 tips to help make the process as smooth as possible, putting you that much closer to making your dream of home ownership come true! With the right knowledge and preparation on your part (and the right agent), the first-time home buying process can be fun, eductional, and a process you'd welcome again!
Last week I provided Part 1 with the first 5 tips for first-time home buyers. Here are the remaining 5!
6. Do All Inspections - Even if you're buying a home that comes with a home warranty and all appears to be great on the surface, having the proper home inspections done before you buy will save you a lot of trouble later...trust me! There are so many aspects of a home that can go unnoticed, so you want to hire a professional to dig deeper than you can see to point out areas of uncertainty. From the foundation to the attic, it is in your best interest to know exactly what you're buying.
7. Don't Focus on Visual Appeal - When you're looking at a home you're considering buying, you must look further than the way a home looks - whether it's good or bad. Remember, cosmetic things like paint color, wall paper, and even the size of some rooms can all be changed. On the other hand, don't get caught up with work that has already been done to make the home look better than it actually is. Again, this is where your home inspection will benefit you. Just because a home appears to be updated and in good shape, doesn't always mean there aren't underlying issues or that the updates were done correctly.
8. Know What You Want - Before you begin narrowing down your choices for your first home, if you're buying with a partner, whether it be a spouse or significant other, make sure you're both in agreement about what is really important to have in the home. This will avoid problems and arguments down the road.
9. Consider Re-sale value - Chances are good that your first home will not be the only one you purchase...meaning you'll need to sell this one at some point. Always consider how easy or hard it may be to sell in the future. Review items like:
10. Keep Your Emotions in Check - I highly recommend not buying the first home you look at, even if you "fall in love" with it. You need to see more than one to make the best decision. Also, remember your budget. Don't over extend yourself just because this "may" be the perfect home. Homes are listed for sale every day you will find the one that's just right for you!
If you're a first-time home buyer, what questions do you have?
10 Tips for First Time Home Buyers, Part 1
My name is Helen Miltiades and I am an experienced Realtor in Savannah, Ga. Please don't hesitate to contact me for any Real Estate or vacation needs and questions. Connect with me on my Facebook Page for even more events and happenings in the Savannah area, as well as home ownership tips, real estate market updates, and so much more!
If you are moving to the Savannah, Ga area, any one of the many homes for sale could just be your dream home!
Buying a home for the first time can often seem harder than it has to be. Use these 10 tips to help make the process as smooth as possible, putting you that much closer to making your dream of home ownership come true! With the right knowledge and preparation on your part (and the right agent), the first-time home buying process can be fun, eductional, and a process you'd welcome again!
1. Your Credit Score - Before the process of buying your first home can even begin, you have to have a good credit score. In order to be eligible for the lowest interest rates possible, mortgage lenders are expecting to see a credit score in the 700 or higher range. Improving your credit score should start with knowing where you currently stand. From there you will need to make sure you are paying bills on time and lowering your debt to income ratio as much as possible. Visit this link for tips to improve your credit score, provided by Experian.
2. Find the Best Agent for Your Situation - Not every Realtor is right for everyone and their situation. Choosing a Real Estate agent that will work best with you doesn't have to be hard, you just need to ask the right questions. The first step is to talk to friends and family who will give you an honest recommendation about someone they've worked with. Again, not every Realtor is right for every situation, so take your time when choosing who will become the person to help make your plans a reality!
3. Have a Budget and Get Preapproved - Before you take the step of getting preapproved, you have to determine what monthly payment you're comfortable with. Remember though, if you use on-line mortgage calculators, the taxes you have to pay are not included. For example, a mortgage calculator will give you a number based on the purchase price and an interest rate, but when you deal with a mortgage lender, the number you'll get from them can include taxes, so your monthly payment will be higher. Another tip -- you may qualify for more than you can actually afford. Take all of your expenses into account and look at the dollar amount you actually have to spend each month to set your home buying budget.
Getting preapproved by a mortgage lender is a must BEFORE you start house hunting. You'll know exactly price range you should be looking in, and in many cases, preapproval is needed to even make an offer on a home.
4. The Neighborhood is as Important as the House - Before you can narrow down your choices for your first home, you'll want to see the areas during different times of the day and days of the week. Drive around to get a feel for what you could expect should you move into that neighborhood. Doing a bit of research on potential neighborhoods is a great way to determine what area is best for you. Take Savannah for example; if you're looking for a neighborhood that is more family friendly than commercial, Ardsley Park would be a better option for you than the Victorian District. Here's more about Savannah's neighborhoods.
5. Be Ready to Buy - Don't start looking at homes until you are actually ready to sign on the dotted line. If your finances are not in order, you're not preapproved, or have a low credit score, you put yourself at risk of losing a house you find you really want.
This is part 1 in a two-part series of tips for first-time home buyers. Next week I'll post Part 2, with 5 more items that should be on your checklist! Do you have questions about any of the tips in this section?
My name is Helen Miltiades and I am an experienced Realtor in Savannah, Ga. Please don't hesitate to contact me for any Real Estate or vacation needs and questions. Connect with me on my Facebook Page for even more events and happenings in the Savannah area, as well as home ownership tips, real estate market updates, and so much more!
If you are moving to the Savannah, Ga area, any one of the many homes for sale could just be your dream home!
Savannah has a lot to offer to the people that call it home. Warm Southern charm, unique beauty, squares, parks, historical significance, and top notch education systems are just a few of the things that draw people here. No matter what your idea of living is, Savannah has a neighborhood ideal just for you. Whether it's the luxury of a gated community or the family atmosphere you want, you'll find it here in Savannah!
A Guide to the Neighborhoods of Savannah
Ardsley Park
Located in Midtown, Ardsley Park is Savannah's first suburb. Families and young professionals enjoy this neighborhood for its mixture of both large and quaint homes along tree-lined streets.
Historic District
Savannah's Historic District blends commercial and residential living into an area that is all beautiful! With historic homes still in need of restoration, restored homes and new construction in the form of townhouse condos, the Historic District attracts people with all interests and living styles.
Victorian District
The Victorian District in Savannah attracts people interested in restoring two and three story frame homes in need of your tender loving care! This area is becoming more popular mainly because the Historic Disctict is running out of restorable houses.
Gordonston
If you're looking for a more secluded neighborhood to call home, Gordonston may be just the place for you. Similar to Ardsley Park in terms of being favored by families and young professionals, you'll find this area to be less "discovered".
Thunderbolt
Located just east of Savannah’s city limits, Thunderbolt is an historic maritime town. You'll find a number of luxury condominium developments with breathtaking views along the riverfront.
Each of these five neighborhoods of Savannah offers something for everyone, no matter what your ideal living situation may be. There are a number of other areas of Savannah and places just outside the city that the Savannah Chamber has listed on their website. I encourage you to explore all of the available options if you're not familiar with our area, and please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions or need more information to help you narrow down your home search.
What do you look for in an ideal place to call home?
My name is Helen Miltiades and I am an experienced Realtor in Savannah, Ga. Please don't hesitate to contact me for any Real Estate or vacation needs and questions. Connect with me on my Facebook Page for even more events and happenings in the Savannah area, as well as home ownership tips, real estate market updates, and so much more!
If you are moving to the Savannah, Ga area, any one of the many homes for sale could just be your dream home!
Renting a home is often the best solution if you're not in the market to actually buy. In fact, renting has advantages that are quite appealing, especially if you only need to rent for a short time. I have a few rental properties available here in the Savannah, Ga area that may be just what you are looking for! First though, take a look at a few of the advantages of renting, summed up nicely by mortgagecalculator.org.
Advantages of Renting vs. Buying
1. The initial investment to rent a home or apartment is quite low. Buyers often need to have anywhere between 5 to 10 times to move into a home than to rent an apartment.
2. Renting costs less money. The funds that would normally be used toward a down payment or higher mortgage payments can be invested into savings accounts that give higher returns. This is especially true in situations where the property is lived in by the renter for less than four years.
3. The renter has limited responsibility because they do not have to take care of repairs. The landlord is responsible for these tasks. When owning a home, the owner is responsible for all repair costs.
4. The renter has less of a tax impact on their financial situation. The renter is not impacted by such items as property taxes that can fluctuate often.
5. The renter may be able to budget easier. Rent is an amount that is fixed and may even include utilities in the rental amount. A fixed amount can allow the renter to set a budget easier because the renting cost is set.
6. The renter has more mobility and flexibility to move since leases tend to me short-term.
7. Insurance costs are lower for renters because the renter only needs to insure the contents of the rental property and not the structure itself.
8. The cost to move in is lower. There may be no down payment and less deposits required.
4 Homes Available for Rent in the Savannah Area
222 Chatham St, off Montgomery Crossroads & Atwood
Features:
3 Bedroom, 1 Bath, Livingroom, Eat In Kitchen, Large Den, Laundry Room, Large Fenced Yard
$825 per month
620 W 46th St
Features:
2 Story, 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, Entrance Foyer, Living Room, Dining Room with Fireplace, Breakfast Room, Laundry Room with Folding table and storage, Hardwood floors, Central Heat & Air
$895 per month
$895 Security Deposit
141 E 57th St
Features:
3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, Livingroom has a fireplace, Dining Room with built in Cabinets, Small Room of the Kitchen (would make a great office or playroom), Hardwood floors, Central Heat & Air, Porch off Kitchen, fenced-in yard
$950.00 per month
$950.00 Security Deposit
5 Norwood Ct
Features:
Located in the area "Isle of Hope", 2 Story, 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, Living Room with Fireplace, Seperate Dining Room with entrance to fenced yard, Updated Kitchen with Dishwasher, Master Bedroom Downstairs, Laundry Room Upstairs, 2 Car Garage
$1100.00 per month
$1100.00 Security Deposit
If you'd like more information about any of these homes available for rent or any other questions about renting (or buying), please give me a call at 912-231-1981 or send me an email at hmr1@aol.com.
What are your thoughts on renting vs. buying a home in Savannah?
My name is Helen Miltiades and I am an experienced Realtor in Savannah, Ga. Please don't hesitate to contact me for any Real Estate or vacation needs and questions. Connect with me on my Facebook Page for even more events and happenings in the Savannah area, as well as home ownership tips, real estate market updates, and so much more!
If you are moving to the Savannah, Ga area, any one of the many homes for sale could just be your dream home!
When you are selling your home in Savannah, the more welcoming it can be the better. Show buyers that your home is in perfect line with the classic southern charm and hospitality our area is know for. Give buyers that feeling that "this is the one" by removing your personal photos and mementos and opting for decor that is neutral and appealing to everyone.
The declutter process is part of an overall home staging strategy that helps buyers to picture themselves living in your home. Trust me, buyers will easily become distracted from what your home offers if they are stopping to look at family vacation photos and memorabilia.
So what should you decorate your home with when you've removed the personal touches that said "you"? The possiblities are endless but I've narrowed it down to a few that should get you started! Remember that it's best to stick with non-gender specific items like candles, abstract art, and flower-less window treatments.
In the entry way, opt for a simple table with a mirror hung above it on the wall. The mirror may have replaced a wedding photo or coat hooks, but it will be visually more welcoming.
Since the kitchen is one of the main rooms that will make or break an offer being made, this is definitely an area you want to put some effort into to get it ready for sale. Clear off the counters and use decor like bowls of fruit and candles. Savannah buyers will also appreciate the smell of something baking, so whip up a batch of cookies before a showing!
If you're one of the many families that displays photos on the wall in the stairway, this is the time to pack them away and use neutral decor instead. Many home stores carry a variety of non-gender specific wall decor. You could try using three different sized pieces or even two larger framed or canvas pieces to guide buyers up the stairs without distraction.
You probably have family pictures in the bedrooms. Again, you want buyers to see a neutral space that they can picture their own belongings in, so opt for decor like candles and other items to bring pops of color to the space. Books also make a great decor item for nightstands and bookshelves in a bedroom, but instead of stacking them next to each other, try turning some on their sides and stacking up, then add a few small accessories for color and texture!
Now that you have a few ideas to decorate your Savannah home for sale, you're well on your way to bringing in an offer!
My name is Helen Miltiades and I am an experienced Realtor in Savannah, Ga. Please don't hesitate to contact me for any Real Estate or vacation needs and questions. Connect with me on my Facebook Page for even more events and happenings in the Savannah area, as well as home ownership tips, real estate market updates, and so much more!
If you are moving to the Savannah, Ga area, any one of the many homes for sale could just be your dream home!
Helen is a native Savannahian. She has been a Realtor for 26 years and has been awarded the Savannah Board of Realtors Million Dollar Club for 24 consecutive years. She has earned the designations of Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI), and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) which only 3% of all Realtors in the nation have achieved. She received her brokers license in 1988 and established Helen Miltiades Realty in 1990.
