SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR FIRST TIME BUYERS
When buying your first home, you may be one of the people or couples that have special circumstances. Perhaps you have a disability, in law or parent that lives with you, several animals, or any number of other factors. If you find that you want to buy a new home but have special considerations, stay positive knowing there are a number of excellent options.
For starters, if you have more than one animal, you will find that many homeowner associations have a limit on the number of dogs or cats you can own. Therefore, you would need to make sure you look for a new home outside of one of these organizations. This may also mean you need a home with land where your animals can run free. These types of properties are easy to find so no need to worry about getting rid of your furry friends.
Another special consideration would be having a disability. In this case, you want to make your “must have” list so when working with a real estate agent, he, or she can stay on track. This way, you end up with the house and the property that meets your needs. Although you might be tempted to settle for something less during your search, try to be patient. The shopping around and patience will pay off, allowing your first home to be something special. Then, you want to consider a number of other things to include:
Public Transportation – If you depend on public transportation then you need to check into what options are available in the area you are interested in buying.
Aging Parents – More and more families are taking care of elderly parents. Therefore, you should think about any special needs as you start looking.
Public Safety – Be sure to check the current crime rate in the preferred area. In addition, find out how close public services are such as police, fire, and hospital.
Parking – Will there be any issues with parking? If the house you are interested in does not have a garage, make sure you have adequate off-street parking.
Utilities – This is an important finance to look at. Usually, the seller can provide copies of the past few months for you to review, giving you an idea of what you would need to budget for.
Property Taxes – Some tax rules provide special benefits for veterans, elderly citizens, and even long-time residents. You should inquire what these benefits are and whom they cover.