Are you ready to buy a home? Before you buy a home, you’ll need to consider the changes that will occur when you become an official homeowner, PLUS calculate how this large purchase will affect your budget and lifestyle. From neighborhood amenities to home insurance and more, here are five steps you need to take before you start house hunting for homes for sale in Orange County, CA.
1. Figure out your budget
You shouldn’t necessary go out and buy a home at the top of your approved home loan limit. You need to take into account ongoing homeowner expenses such as insurance, property taxes, and utilities. These fees can fluctuate over time and you need to be prepared to pay them for as long as you live in the house. Try to keep your mortgage payments at no more than 30% of your salary. That way you’ll be able to handle extra costs of homeownership.
2. Scout out your perfect neighborhood
Chances are you’ll be living in your next home for more than a few years, so not only do you want your home to be perfect, but you’ll want the perfect neighborhood as well. Take time to scout out a neighborhood that matches your lifestyle.
If you have children, pick a home in a good school district. If you’re looking for shopping and dining close by, choose a more established area. Also decide if a neighborhood with HOA fees (homeowner’s association fees) is something for you, and include that expense into your budget. Just remember when you move into your new home, you’re accepting everything that comes with it….barking dogs and nosy neighbors included.
3. Find an experienced and trustworthy Realtor 
One of the most crucial parts of the home buying process is picking a great real estate agent to work with. Your Realtor can mean the difference between finding your dream home or just finding a home you settle for, so you must use extreme discretion when choosing.
Keep in mind that picking an awesome agent should be centered around a few very important things; pricing appropriately, marketing well, and communicating effectively! Here at The Cesi Pagano Team, we pride ourselves on doing all of those things and more to help you find your dream home.
Cesi Pagano
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