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Guide for a First Time Kelowna House Buyer

 

Buying a Kelowna House

A home will be one of the most expensive purchases you will do in your life. This makes it important to do it the right way, or you might end up regretting in the long term. There are many cases where first time buyers have spent a lot of money on a house and realizing later it was not worth it. In order, to avoid being one of the people regretting later, you need to be extra careful when buying a home. There are a number of things you need to do. Below are some tips that will go a long way.

Compare prices in the area

The best way to know whether the pricing is right is by checking the selling price of similar Kelowna house in the area. There are many different places you can get this data, including multiple listing services, websites, and the National Association of Realtors. Knowing the pricing of similar houses will give you a chance to estimate the real value, and can also help you when negotiating. A home is an investment, and you want to buy one that you will be able to sell for the same or even more money than what you paid for.

Budget

This is one of the most important things you need to consider when buying a home. Your budget should guide you on what you are going to buy, and not the other way round. Buying within your budget ensures you are going to pay an amount you are comfortable with. It is a good idea to spend less than 30% of your income on housing. Spending more and you risk being house poor. Know the total cost and how much you will be paying monthly.

Calculate the total expenses

Many first-time buyers make the mistake of using the mortgage as the total expense. There are other expenses that you have to add. Some of them include property insurances, taxes, homeowners’ association dues, higher water, and electric bills. Always remember that property taxes and insurance tend to increase every year. Even if you can easily afford it today, ask yourself if you can afford it years down the line when the costs have increased. You have to think of it as a long-term commitment.

Start looking for a loan first, and then the house later

The first step of home buying is mortgage prequalification unless you have enough money to pay cash. It can be more fun to look at houses in the market than sitting in a lenders office where you have to expose your financial situation.  Many people fear that they may not qualify, or the amount they will get is not enough to get them their dream home. Always remember that buying a house is a financial decision and not an emotional decision.

Get professional help

Working with a reputable real estate agent, broker, and a lawyer will be the best decision you make. It is hard for first time home buyers to understand the entire process, but working with professionals will help make it easier and ensures everything is done the right way. They should be…

Penticton Home Buying Tips

Penticton Homes For Sale

Buying a home for the first time can be an overwhelming experience. While you may be tempted to make an expulsive purchase, this could hurt your future financial goals. If you want to make a worthwhile investment, here are a few tips to help you through the buying process.

 

Neighborhoods

If you’re trying to find the best neighborhood to live in, there are a couple of things to consider. Maybe you want an area with low crime rates. It’s easy to get caught up while looking for everything on your wish list – it all boils down to research. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

 

Safety

Safety is a top priority when choosing a neighborhood. An area with a low crime rate will be safe for many years to come. Keep in mind that different areas of town can be dangerous, so it can be helpful to read the crime reports.

 

Understand your budget

A budget can be an excitement during a home buying process so you can lose sight of the financial constraints. To ensure you pick a home that aligns with your income, you should work with a mortgage professional. Once you’ve identified a specific price, you can find a neighborhood that meets your needs.

 

Schools

If you have children, you need a neighborhood with schools. Once you’ve settled for a specific institution, check the performance. Another factor to consider is whether you want them to go to a private or public institution. Can they walk? Is there public transportation?

 

Property taxes

How much will the taxes increase in the next few years? Is there an unexpected increase?

 

Amenities

Is your dream home located close to cafes, stores, or restaurants? If you like to be involved in community works, you should check the nearby libraries, art centers, and other areas of creativity.

Trace the path of growth in the neighborhood. The rising home values could mean a lot for people and businesses in the neighborhood. If the home is outside your reach, you should look for the next available neighborhood.

 

Statistics

Crime statistics may not tell the actual reality. That’s why you should look for local input from businesses and homeowners. Be sure to get a bigger picture of safety concerns.

 

How do you finance a house or condo?

Since a condo is a multi-unit functional development, it’s harder to get a mortgage. In many cases, a mortgage requires you to be a member of a specific association (HOA). If there’re pending issues against HOA, this could be a deal-breaker for the lender.

Lenders also want to determine that a specific percentage of homes are occupied. For purposes of occupancy, lenders should determine how much the house is worth. For homes, you can finance through a mortgage. Typically, you’ll be asked for a 20-30% down payment in Penticton Real Estate Sales.

 

Benefits of using a Realtor

In tough times, people always look for ways to cut down costs. And that’s why you should involve a realtor in real estate transactions. Other reasons why you should use a realtor include:

  • Pricing expertise
  • Finding valuable homes
  • Tracking the paperwork
  • Help to avoid closing problems
  • To maintain a specific code of conduct

 

Work With a Good REMAX Realtor

If you want to buy a house, you should find a good real estate agent. They understand the ins and outs of the housing market. To find the best, you should:

Get referrals from family and friends.

Ask friends and family whom they recommend as real estate agents. If they liked them, you’ll probably like them too. Be sure to work with professionals who have completed the necessary training in real estate.

Research potential candidates

First, you should check the reviews of candidates from social networks. Do some homework to find the right agent, but it’s great to create a wish list.

Interview a few agents

To narrow down your search, you should interview three real estate agents. This will help you understand the preferred method of communication.

Follow your instinct

While knowledge and experience will make you feel comfortable, the road can get bumpy. …

Top Kelowna House Buying Questions

 Items to Know: The Kelowna House Buying Process

Buying a house in Kelowna is going to require an organized approach to the entire process. Every house buying process is going to need some thought and budget strategies in place. You will need to determine how you will come up with a down payment for your prospective purchase. There are often a variety of different methods to choose from. Often there are government loans available to assist the prospective home buyer to fulfill their goals. Any real estate purchase is going to prove to be a worthy investment. It is important to find the right area to purchase your home in. It is always a good idea to check for the following:
* the work distance
* the neighborhood appearance
* the school quality
* crime rates
* future development plans for the area
* the lot
Once you have determined your budget and found the right location, you are on your way to an exciting home buying journey. The next step may include a real estate agent. It is important to obtain a credible company to assist you with the process from start to finish. The following professionals may be very helpful in the entire process:* a Lawyer (real estate); a buyer and seller will each have a lawyer. The closing arrangements are typically handled by law professionals for the closing of the deal* Kelowna Realtor (licensed); it is common for one realtor to represent the seller and the buyer* the lender; most people do not buy their homes with cash. A bank is often needed for the mortgage loan. Many of the Canadian banks request a down payment of 35 percent. Some may go as low as five percent down.
It will be important to check around for credible lenders and to obtain a good rate.* a broker (insurance); home insurance will be needed and competitive prices will need to be looked for* the inspector (home); a prospective home will need to be inspected by a professional to ensure it is up to standards
Canada: The Home inspection
When a home inspection is done in Canada, the following items will have a visual overview:* the interior components; electrical, HAVOC system, ventilation, insulation, plumbing system, ceilings, flooring, doors, windows and walls* exterior components; roofing, surfaces, flashing, doors, the grading around the building, gutters, downspouts
As a prospective homeowner, you ought to be fully informed about your future home before you made the final sale.The Condition of the Roof
Before buying a house in Canada, it will be a good idea to have the roof inspected. This is because a typical roof may need to be replaced every 20 years. A roof replacement can be a large expense. It is a good idea to be fully informed about the condition of the roof prior to a purchase. If it needs any type of repairs, the current owners may need to make the necessary repairs before signing any legal paperwork in terms of a sale.

The Searching Process
There are various methods to get you started on the house buying process:

* checking for homes online; many homes, in Canada, can be viewed on the Canadian website www.realtor.ca.

* search results (automatic) through email; many people the automated search results to look for prospective properties. A licensed real estate agent will be able to help to set up a search

* face-to-face; in person is another option for searching for your prospective property. This is a good way to see Canada and your prospective surroundings

* videos; many buyers will start their search by viewing videos tours or a Skype tour is another option

Good Questions and and a Smart Purchase
When you find the right place to buy, it is a good idea to ask some good questions before signing any legal paperwork. Make a list of the following questions and write the information down to help you make your final decision:

* what is my total budget?; it is important to determine a legitimate budget plan prior to starting the process. You will need to search in areas which will be suited for your own budget

* how much

Mobile Homes MDF Vs. Solid Oak Skirting

 

MDF Vs. Solid Oak Skirting

When it comes to skirting boards there are two main options available when it comes to the materials used to create it – MDF or solid oak. Which one you choose will be largely dependent on the style you want to go for, how hard wearing it needs to be, and your budget.

It is unsurprising that solid oak skirting is more expensive than MDF (medium-density fibreboard) skirting but does that mean it is better? We examine both to help you decide which to use in your next home renovation project.

MDF Skirting

MDF is the long-standing material used in homes across the UK and USA and there is a very good reason for that. It is cheap to produce and is pretty hard wearing. An added benefit of MDF is that it has a very little environmental impact as the wood shavings used to create it would likely go to waste were they not used to create medium-density fibreboard.

MDF is a very versatile wood, can be manufactured into various lengths, heights, and depths, and is extremely easy to manipulate into one of the many designs or styles we have grown accustomed to.

The biggest drawback of opting for MDF skirting is that it is not very natural-looking and requires good paintwork to make it look sophisticated.

If you need a lot of skirting or architrave for your home or office then MDF is probably going to be the sensible choice – especially in a more modern piece of real estate – as it is going to keep the costs down.

Top Tip: If you order it pre-primed it can really help minimize the time spent on painting too.

Solid Oak Skirting

The main alternative to MDF is solid oak and thanks to modern production methods it is now more widely available than in the past and can be purchased in a range of styles. Solid oak skirting works best in older and more characterful properties thanks to its natural look and feel. You get those knots that you cannot easily reproduce in more synthetic materials and it can really bring a room to life.

The cost of solid oak is of course much higher than MDF but if your budget can stretch to it and it fits the style of your home/office then it will really give the room a touch of luxury.

The Verdict

In the battle between oak and MDF, there is not one definitive winner and it will ultimately depend on the look you need and the budget you have. Solid oak will be a little more hard-wearing so if you have a house full of kids that are likely to kick or scuff the skirting boards then oak could be the answer and could actually be more cost-effective in the long run as it won’t need to be replaced so often. However, for more modern homes there is a case to be made for MDF skirting fitting contemporary styles better.

Ultimately, you are going to have to choose what works best for you.