Tips For Buying A Home In California

Did you know that 40 million Americans, which is roughly 14% of the entire USA population, move domestically each year? In the State of the Moving report, the top reasons for moving interstate are love, money, location, and the community, says the national moving company, Bellhop.

While now is not the time for moving due to Coronavirus, when life returns to normal, and you’re keen to move to a new location and buy a home consider planning it now while you’ve got plenty of time. You can never be too prepared for either event and if your State of choice is California, we have tips on getting ready to purchase a home in the region.

California

California attracts migrants from other states due to its location and Mediterranean climate. The country is also home to some of America’s most diverse environments, from deserts to mountains and everything in between, including national parks and beaches. Therefore it’s no surprise California’s housing market is driven mostly by supply. The state has seventeen of the twenty-five most expensive housing markets in the United States, with Los Angeles ranking sixth most costly residential market globally in 2018.

Given the complexity of buying a house in the State, it’s straightforward to make mistakes. You must know four essential things before purchasing a home in California or anywhere.

Location

An important thing you need to remember is that you can renovate your house and change it entirely, but you can’t change its location. Hence, you can never do too much research on the area that’s right for you and your family.

Make a list of what an area needs, i.e. do you need public transport to get to work or your children to and from schools? With online shopping, being near local shops is no longer on everyone’s list of priories for choosing a new location; however, it might be on your list. Is it possible to visit prospective places on your shortlist so you can keep or remove areas before you concentrate on your property search?

Property Must-Haves

Moving onto the property search, like with the location, create another list of must-haves and a wishlist. Remember, it is a seller’s market, which translates to a lack of properties for sale, so you will need to be open-minded. While it’s important to know exactly what you’re looking for, it’s also crucial not to be too picky. A better alternative is to understand what is essential or what your deal-breakers are.

Moreover, it’s important not to let aesthetics dictate your decision. While how your new house looks visually is a factor, it should not be the deciding factor as you can constantly renovate and change the cosmetic areas, i.e. non-structural components of a property. For example, you may not like the kitchen design, so replacing the kitchen is a cosmetic improvement.

Know Your Budget

Turning a dream into reality starts with knowing how much you can afford, including your deposit and what a lender is prepared to forward as a home loan. First home buyers in California also include homeowners who haven’t owned a home for three years. The California Housing Finance Agency is an excellent place to start your research into what programs may be available for you.

The purchase is also the starting point, and you need to know your ability to service the property’s outgoings like the mortgage repayments, home maintenance, and rates. Seek professional advice from a mortgage broker or accountant.

Local Los Angeles mortgage broker says according to Corelogic the median price of a single-family home in Los Angeles costs $650,000, and with all loans, it pays to know how they work, and that includes mortgages. Very few people can afford to buy a home without a loan, so when you know your maximum borrowing capability, prioritize what you need and what you can forego. Hence, you get the best property for your budget.

Legalities

A real estate lawyer will speed up your property purchase and help you understand the legitimacy of the purchase. They can also help you negotiate the best deal for one of the most important decisions you will need to make in your life. They can also help you out if legal issues arise and are experts in handling real estate legal contracts.

If you’re buying a house for the first time, you should find a real estate lawyer who’s accommodating and open to answering any questions you might have. Lastly, it might be helpful if the real estate lawyer is local since they might be able to recommend you to qualified agents in your area.

Summary

While time is on your side, do a lot of research online so you’re in a great position to move ahead with your move and purchase of a new home. There’s a lot to be said for the lifestyle of California with location and weather being the main drawcards.