Buying a house is a big deal for most of us. We start with saving chunks of our portions every month to the point when we are ready to consider getting a permanent roof over ours or our family’s heads. You might be on a hunt for houses for sale to make it a place of your permanent residence, or it can be to find a good investment opportunity.
There are two options you will face when you are looking to buy a house. You can either go out there. Look for open houses, or find a real estate agent to show you the houses for sale in the area. Buying a pre-constructed home is easy. You just have to visit a place, see if they are up to your standards. Whether it can comfortably accommodate your family or not, and boom. The next thing you know, you’re helping your child with their homework in the house’s living room.
There is another option that, although it is a tough one, has a greater return. It is buying a piece of land and constructing the house of your dreams. It might sound easy but buying a piece of land requires time and effort. You have to take care of everything. From the vicinity of your property to the legal issues you might have to deal with in the future. Everything needs to be sorted for you to construct a house just the way you want it to be.
What’s the difference?
It might be a confusing decision to make. Whether you should buy a house or choose to buy land on which you can construct as you wish. There are pros and cons to both of these options. When we put them side by side for comparison, things get even more confusing. If you choose to go hunt for houses for sale that are pre-constructed. Then you dodge all the hassle of building a house from scratch. You won’t have to deal with the permits or worry about other legal issues. The mortgage would be easier to pay off. Conclusively, you won’t have to put in that much effort to get a house for yourself and your family.
On the contrary, When you are building a house from scratch. You can tell your developer what you want in the house. There are no limitations to what you on provided that you pay for the costs. Additionally, you won’t have to deal with the bank too often as you don’t have to pay the mortgage. You might have to take a land loan, but it is better you choose the option if you have the money upfront.
Moreover, If you want to build a significantly large property, it might cost you more in the open market. Plus, you will have to settle with what someone else constructed. It is also tough to find houses for sale with 10 acres near me and you. But, on the other hand, if you buy a 10-acre piece of land, you will have open ground to construct the house of your choosing.
What to keep in mind when buying a house?
It does not matter what you decide to do with your money. It would be best if you were grateful for what you could afford. However, there are some things that you must keep in mind when you are at the stage in your life where you are stable enough to look for houses for sale.
Here we have discussed some key aspects that you might want to look into before finalizing a house.
Buying a pre-constructed house
There is no harm in buying a house from the free market. The process will be much easier, and all you have to do is choose what you need. But, there is much more to it than just picking the best house for yourself and your family.
Location
The location of your house can make all the difference for you and your family. A friendly neighborhood plays a vital role in the well-being of your family. It is best if the house is equidistant from your workplace and the local market. There should be access to the essential utilities. and there should be a school and a hospital near your residence for ease of access.
Another reason location matters is to ensure that your house is secure. You need to ensure that the local law enforcement agencies are active in the area and have a short response time.
House’s age
What good is looking through some great houses for sale if you have to keep paying for their upkeep every now and then? Therefore, it is best to consult your realtor and ask how old the house is. If you are specifically looking for an older home, then make sure to separate a budget for all the renovation projects and maintenance works. A house built many decades ago has a vintage look and a certain charm. However, time has changed since then. Therefore, you will have to upgrade the house from your pocket.
House’s maintenance
Realtors and real estate agents boost the look of the house before bringing you to visit the property. It is best if you stay vigilant and check the house thoroughly so you can point them out to the agent and strike a good bargain. If that does not happen, the maintenance will make you spend extra money on the house.
Buying a piece of land
Buying land and constructing your dream house can get much easier if you put your heart into it. However, there are many things that you will have to keep in check. Most of them are similar to what you will have to do if you are buying a pre-constructed house. For instance, location is a significant factor in allowing you to make a decision. Similarly, having access to main roads and fresh water and electricity are some factors you need to check on before finalizing a piece of land.
Some other aspects you will have to work upon are:
Building permit
You will need a permit for almost everything. A building permit is a legal document that legally allows you to construct a house on the said piece of land. You will also have to acquire licenses for almost everything like drilling a well, establishing electrical connections, etc. It can be a hassle to deal with all this legal paperwork, but it is for your good, making your property legitimately legal.
Zoning permits
You will have to consult your local zoning office to make sure what you can and can’t construct on your land. It also allows you to know if the area is for commercial or residential housing. You don’t have to check for zoning permits when looking for pre-constructed houses for sale as they are in the residential area.
Surveying
You will have to consult a professional surveyor to ensure your plot’s boundaries. There might be a survey done recently by the authorities, but you will have to put in some legwork to obtain it. But, if not, you will have to get a surveyor to check with your property’s boundaries.
The surveyor will cost you for his services. His charges will be determined by the man-hours he spent on the job, the size of your property, and the amount of time he had to spend researching your plat to confirm your boundaries.
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