METCALF MOVING BLOG

May 21, 2021

Buying a New Home? 6 Ways to Be Prepared for a Home Purchase

Buying a home takes a lot of time. Many people spend months preparing to buy a house and move. If you’re considering purchasing a home and moving sometime in the next year, this is the time to start planning. Knowing what to do with this time before you make an offer can help you be more prepared, leading to a better overall home-buying and moving experience.

1. Get Your Finances in Order

Lenders expect home buyers to present specific financial paperwork before they loan money. Start contacting reputable lenders in your area to find out what kind of paperwork you’ll need to show when you apply for a loan. Some examples of the type of financial documents that your lender may ask to see includes:

  • Tax documents
  • Bank statements
  • Paycheck stubs

If you anticipate you’ll have a hard time finding some of your paperwork, get started now, so you can request documentation from financial institutions if need be.

2. Start Packing Soon

Packing can be time-consuming, so get started with the packing process now. Purge clutter as you go —  to make moving less expensive and complicated. If you’re planning to hire a full-service mover for your upcoming relocation, start having conversations with movers now to find out how long they’ll need to pack your belongings and how much it will cost.

3. Dress Up Your House

Are you selling your current home to buy a new home? If so, now is the time to get your house ready for the upcoming sale process. Many real estate professionals recommend that home sellers focus on making repairs, improving their curb appeal, and improving their interior staging. Here are some tips to make this easier:

  • Make a checklist of all repairs that need to happen in your home in the next several months and a schedule to get the work done.
  • Upgrade your landscaping so that your home will look its best when the photographer takes pictures of your house for the real estate listing.
  • Repaint interior rooms that look a little shabby.
  • Get rid of clutter that could make your home look darker and smaller than it is.

4. Consult with a Real Estate Professional

Get some professional advice about the home selling and home buying process. Find out from a real estate agent what else you could be doing to be more successful in your home search when the time comes.

5. Make a Budget

Buying a home and moving is costly. Make a budget to ensure you’ll have enough money for your upcoming relocation. You’ll probably need money for:

  • Down payment
  • Closing costs
  • Fixing up your current home
  • Moving
  • Fixing up and furnishing the home you buy

To get some accurate estimates of how much you can expect to spend on the expenses above, start consulting with real estate professionals, mortgage lenders, and movers.

6. Contact a Moving Company

Find a moving company that’s reputable, affordable, and known for doing good work. Get started as early as possible, especially if you’re planning to move at the height of the busy summer. Call today to get a quote for your upcoming relocation.

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