Thinking about buying your first home? It’s an exciting step, but let’s be real—it can also feel overwhelming! Fortunately, you’ve landed in the right place. We work with lots of first and second-time buyers and know exactly what you need to do to have the smoothest homebuying experience possible. Below, we’ll guide you through the knowledge you need to have and the decisions you need to make before you start your search. Read on to find out exactly what you should know before you start your search.
What You Need to Know Now
- Crunch Those Numbers: First things first—figure out what you can comfortably spend without stretching yourself too thin. Get a mortgage pre-approval so you know your budget, and remember, there are other costs like closing fees and property taxes to consider. It’s a lot, but planning ahead and getting familiar with your numbers is what gives you confidence here.
- Pick Your Spot: Location is key, and it’s all about what matters to you. Close to work? Good schools? Plenty of things to do at the weekend? Also, consider the neighborhood’s future potential—it’s not just where you’ll live now but how it’ll grow with you.
- Forecast Your Future: Do you plan to stay in this house for the long haul, potentially bringing up your family there, or do you know that this house will be relatively temporary–think less than seven years? While your budget may dictate this to some extent, it’s important to think about whether or not you want this to be your home for the foreseeable future.
If so, you might want to borrow as much as you comfortably can so you can afford the most amount of space for you and your growing needs. Of course, think about career changes you may make, and how that will affect your financial situation. We can’t see the future, but we can plan for our most likely future.
- Keep an Eye on Your Timing: Keep an eye on interest rates and where they are compared to what the average is when you are getting ready to buy. Interest rates are usually fairly consistent, but sometimes they are abnormally low or high. Keep this in mind when you’re getting your mortgage – if mortgage rates are at a historic low, borrowing your absolute maximum may put you in a sticky situation later. If they’re high, provided you continue to keep a good credit rating, your home could become more affordable for you later when interest rates drop.
- Inspect to Protect: If you’re buying a used home, always, always get a home inspection to avoid any nasty surprises. This is crucial in older homes where hidden problems can lurk.
Why New Homes Are A Better Bet
New construction homes are always popular. Why? Because people know exactly what they’re getting. If you’re a first time buyer or a growing family, you often simply can’t afford to buy a home that may need a ton of work to get it in a condition where you can focus on living your life instead of putting all your money into repairs and renovations. Of course, that’s not the only benefit, here are some more of our favorites:
- Design It Your Way: One of the coolest parts about buying new is that you often get to choose finishes and sometimes even layouts that suit your style from the start. It’s like being a kid in a candy store, but for your home! Of course, being the first to live in a home also means you can take that blank canvas and make it yours, right from the moment you move in.
- Save Energy, Save Money: New homes are built with the latest technology to cut down on energy use, which means lower bills for you and less strain on the planet. When you live somewhere like Arizona, where you need your air conditioning almost year round, this can result in some serious money saved.
- Less Hassle, More Relaxing: We’ve already touched on it, but it’s worth mentioning again. New homes mean everything’s fresh out of the box—no worn-out systems or emergency repairs popping up just when you’ve settled in.
- Worry Less with a Warranty: When you buy a used home, the only protections you have if you discover something is drastically wrong with it after you’ve moved in is if you can prove conclusively that the previous owner knew about it and sold it to you without making you aware of it. And to do that, you’re going to have to get lawyers involved.
New homes come with warranties, with the structure often being protected for 10 years – doesn’t that feel like a sigh of relief? You shouldn’t need it, but if you do, your house builder will make the necessary repairs, and you won’t be out of pocket.
- Amenities Galore: Modern communities like those by Scott Communities aren’t just about homes—they’re about lifestyle. Think parks, cafes, and community events that turn neighbors into friends. We don’t just build homes, we design neighborhoods where everyone can thrive.
Dive In with Scott Communities
Buying a home is a big decision, but it doesn’t have to be a stressful one. At Scott Communities, we’re here to make sure you feel supported every step of the way—from exploring your options to picking your paint colors. We build homes that fit your life now and grow with you into the future.
If you now feel prepared to move forward, check out our communities and discover why our new homes are hitting the mark for young professionals and families looking for the perfect place to call their own. Our team is excited to show you around and guide you through your home-buying journey. With us, you don’t have to go it alone. Click here to start exploring our communities and upcoming homes. Your new home adventure starts here!