Buying a Home? 4 Essential Budgeting Tips

Essential Budgeting Tips for Home BuyersFor most people, buying a home is the biggest investment they'll ever make. The purchase of a home requires a lot of cash—so much cash that many people must save for a down payment for years. If you're thinking about buying a home, it's important to budget carefully. These tips can help you with the budgeting process, so that when the time comes to buy a home, you'll be ready.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with an attorney, tax, or financial advisor before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

1. Do Your Research

Before buyers can decide how much money they'll need to save if they are planning on moving to Los Angeles, they must first know approximately how much money homes in their area cost by performing research.  While some of Los Angeles' most expensive neighborhoods are resided by celebrities like Oprah, other neighborhoods offer very affordable and desirable first homes. They must also know how much money they must spend in order to pay for a down payment. To know these two things, first home buyers must look at homes in their area. Looking at homes in their area, they should be able to come up with a reasonable estimate of how much money they can expect to spend on their own home.

Once they've decided how much money they can expect to spend, homeowners can then contact lenders in their area. Speaking with lenders can help home buyers determine which type of loans are right for them. Each loan has its own standard down payment amount, so by determining which kind of loan they will need, the lender can also help the buyer determine how much money to save for the down payment.

2. Estimate Moving Charges

Moving expenses are another typical expense that most people must cover when they're buying a home. Moving expenses vary by quite a lot, depending on how far away the home is, how much stuff is being moved, and whether the home buyer is performing a DIY move or if they're hiring a professional moving company.

Some moving charges can be very high, if the move is across state lines and if the moving company is full-service, so home buyers who anticipate a high-cost move should plan to save quite a bit for this part of the home buying experience. Whereas a DIY move may cost a few-hundred dollars, a full-service move can cost several thousand.

3. Set Aside Money for Home Repairs

In addition to the moving expenses, many home buyers spend money fixing up, repairing or redecorating their new home. Setting aside money for home repairs or redecoration is helpful for ensuring the homeowner will feel comfortable in their new property.

Buyers who have made an offer and who plan to make major changes to their new home should start by getting estimates from contractors to help them decide how much to set aside during the home buying process.

4. Prepare for Closing Costs

Closing costs are typically about 2 to 5 percent of the home purchase price. Buyers must have this on hand unless they can negotiate for the home seller to cover the closing costs. Sometimes this can be negotiated; other times this cannot. Home buyers who want the seller to cover the closing costs should work with a real estate professional who can make this happen.

Contact Your Real Estate Professional

If you're a home buyer who would like to buy a Temecula home on a budget, work with a real estate professional to get the job done. Your real estate agent can help you get a home you want at a price you can afford.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with an attorney, tax, or financial advisor before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

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