5 things to ponder before buying this spring

If you are getting ready to buy in spring 2020 you are not alone. Spring is the hottest season of the year for home buyers and sellers!

To be ready to hit the ground running you should start preparing now.

Lets start by thinking about the answers to these questions:

1. What makes you want to move?
2. What locations and neighborhoods excite you?
3. What are your school needs (if any) ?
4. How will you pay for the home? Do you need to sell first?
5. Who should guide you through the process?

There are a multitude of reasons for why people move. While going somewhere new is exciting, we are creatures of habit and a move means extra work and stress.

When thinking about neighborhoods you may already have certain areas in mind.  Northern Virginia has a great variety of homes and locations. Traffic, schools, home size, work location and cost are usually among the main deciding factors when selecting a location. $600,000 may get you a new single family in Aldie, an older townhome in Tysons or a 2 bedroom condo in Roslyn. If you are considering Tysons Corner, we have a great site at http://tysonsliving.com that may help you narrow down the choices.  

If you have children or plan to have children, the type of neighborhood and school district is likely to matter. Your children may have very different childhoods depending on what school and area you live in. Some areas are more urban, others rural. Some streets have sidewalks and cul-de-sacs, others have neither. While all schools in Northern Virginia will provide your children with a great education, home prices may vary radically depending on what school pyramid a home is in. If you plan to put your child in a private school, paying the $100,000 extra for the home (and the higher real estate taxes) for a desirable school district may not be worth it.

The type of financing you choose may impact your financial flexibility and life options for years to come. Will you purchase with a 20% down payment and have lower monthly payments? Why may the FHA loan with a 3.5% down payment not be the best option? Are your eligible for a VA loan with 0% down and does it make sense for you? Is a fixed or variable rate mortgage the best fit for you? Why may a 15 year loan be a bad idea?

As you can see, there are a lot of options. Every transaction is different since every person has different backgrounds, needs and goals.

At Soldsense we have the experience and knowledge needed to consult, coach  and guide you through the process to end up with a good plan. Making the informed decisions will provide you with the best chance of finding a great home you will love today and for years and years to come. Send us an email today or call at 703 861-0845 and let’s get started!