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HOUSES FOR SALE
The challenge of buying a home for the first time can seem so daunting that it’s tempting to either just go with the first house that falls in your price range or continue to rent. To help you demystify the process and get the most out of the purchase, we’ll examine what you’ll need to consider before you buy, what you can expect from the buying process itself, and some handy tips to make life easier after you purchase your first home.
1. Houses on wheels.
Mobile tiny homes have lots of advantages – they are usually built with RV regulations in mind, so you’ll have an easier time getting around restrictive covenants that may be in place around the country, and, of course, you can take it with you wherever your goals may lead you.
2. Custom designs.
If you have specific design ideas in mind, then your best option could be to have a tiny house contractor build your home for you and then ship it to your dream location.
Tumbleweed Houses is one of the biggest contractors in the country, with several workshops spread around the USA. Their work is Green Certified and approved by the US Green Building Council. Most of their models currently on offer run in the $60,000 range and up.
Upper Valley Tiny Homes could be a better option for people with similar interests, but a smaller budget. They offer various finished models in the ballpark of $30,000, along with an option to buy a basic framework that you can finish yourself to suit your own tastes.
3) Eco tiny houses.
Tiny Texas Houses is an excellent example of a tiny house contracting company that specializes in recycled, reused, up-cycled and other salvaged materials. They ship primarily throughout Texas and its adjoining states, but I’m sure they could be sweet-talked into working with you even if you live further away.
4) Consider living in a tiny house community.
Dancing Rabbit Eco-village was established some twenty years ago as a place for people to come together and strive to live in ecologically sustainable ways. Most of us dwell in tiny houses made with reclaimed or locally harvested materials, and they’re designed in ways that maximize comfort and functionality while minimized negative environmental impacts.
Considerations Before You Buy
1) What type of home best suits your needs?
You have several options when purchasing a residential property: a traditional single-family home, a townhouse, a condo, or a multi-family building with two to four units. Each option has its pros and cons, depending on your homeownership goals, so you need to decide which type of property will help you reach those goals. You can also save on the purchase price in any category by choosing a fixer-upper, although the amount of time, sweat equity and money involved to turn a fixer-upper into your dream home might be much more than you bargained for.
2) What specific features will your ideal home have?
While it’s good to retain some flexibility in this list, you’re making perhaps the biggest purchase of your life, and you deserve to have that purchase fit both your needs and wants as closely as possible. Your list should include basic desires, like neighborhood and size, all the way down to smaller details like bathroom layout and a kitchen that comes with trust-worthy appliances.
3) How much mortgage do you qualify for?
Before you start shopping, it’s important to get an idea of how much a lender will actually be willing to give you to purchase your first home. You may think you can afford a $300,000 home, but lenders may think you’re only good for $200,000 depending on factors like how much other debt you have, your monthly income and how long you’ve been at your current job.
4) How much home can you actually afford?
On the other hand, sometimes a bank will give you a loan for more house than you really want to pay for. Just like with the purchase of a new car, you’ll want to look at the house’s total cost, not just the monthly payment. Of course, looking at the monthly payment is also important, along with how much down payment you can afford, how high the property taxes are in your chosen neighborhood, how much insurance will cost, how much you anticipate spending to maintain or improve the house, and how much your closing costs will be.
5)Who will help you find a home and guide you through the purchase?
A real estate agent will help you locate homes that meet your needs and are in your price range, then meet with you to view those homes. Once you’ve chosen a home to buy, these professionals can assist you in negotiating the entire purchase process, including making an offer, getting a loan, and completing paperwork. A good real estate agent’s expertise can protect you from any pitfalls you might encounter during the process.
