Are you planning to move and buy a house in Washington DC? If you are, well, congratulations are in order! However, before you open that bottle of champagne and start celebrating this with your loved ones, it is necessary to understand that this will not be easy. Buying a house in Washington, or anywhere else for that matter, is a task that will consume all of your time, energy, and of course, money. However, there is nothing to worry about as we are here to help you out. Today, we prepared a list of things you definitely need to know if planning to buy a house in Washington DC. So, if this is something that interests you, just keep on reading.
Organize Your Finances
Whether you want to buy a house in Burleson, in DC, or in some place third, it is of key importance to organize your finances first. Of course, if you have a lot of savings or if you have inherited some money, you can easily skip this step. But, if you have not, then, you need to ask yourself the following – how much can I actually afford? Answering this question is not easy. And, if you have difficulties answering it too, it would be best to consult a financial advisor. Only a person of this kind will be able to tell you how to organize your finances, how to apply for a mortgage, how to get a bank loan, etc. So, do your best to find one! And, do your best to know how much money you can work with before start planning to buy a house in Washington Dc.
Create a List of Must Haves
Once you have sorted out your budget, it is time to create your own list of the so-called ‘must-haves’. Namely, this is a list that will contain all the things that you want out of your new DC home – location, square footage, number of rooms and bathrooms, amenities both inside and outside of the home, the overall condition of the home, etc. Once you create this list, finding a home that suits your needs will be a lot easier and faster. What is more, your real estate agent will also appreciate it.
However, before you hire a real estate agent to help you buy a house in Washington DC, and definitely before you hire a moving company such as helixmove.com, you should also make a list of ‘can’t-haves’. Knowing what you do not want out of a house is just as important as knowing what you do want.
Do Your Own Research
Do not rely solely on your real estate agent when deciding to buy a house in Washington DC. Yes, these kinds of agents can be very helpful, but they cannot do wonders. It is up to you to know what you want and how you want it. Thus, take the previously mentioned lists of must-haves and cant-haves, and look for houses on the market that suits them. Moreover, try to analyze the market yourself! Internet is full of information about this one, so take advantage of that. Market research will help you understand which place is best to live in, which has cheaper houses, which has expensive houses, which is safer, etc.
Moreover, doing your own research on the place you are planning to move, will also help you get to know that place better. That can be extremely beneficial in situations where you, for example, have to cope with moving internationally alone. Thus, research, research, research! Research everything!
Hire A Local Real Estate Agent
And, now is the time to start looking for a good and reliable real estate agent. It just goes without saying that only a professional of this kind can help you find your dream home, a home that suits your needs and budget, in no time. But, not any agent can do this easily, no. Only an agent that is local to Washington DC and that has a lot of experience can help you do that. Thus, what are you waiting for? Hire a local real estate agent as soon as you decide to buy a house in Washington DC.
It would be best to have somebody recommend you a real estate agent. After all, word of the mouth is always the most trusted one. But, if none of the (trusted) people around can help out with this one, then, turn to the Internet. But, it is important to mention that you cannot trust everything you see online. To find the best possible agent, you must do thorough research and even a background check. This applies to your movers as well – if you want your residential move to go smoothly, only certified people can help you. So, be careful whom you hire.
View as Many Houses as Possible
Your real estate agent will give you listings of all the houses that suit your previously mentioned lists. And, our suggestion is to visit all of them, if, of course, you want to buy a house in Washington DC that you always dreamed about! Who knows, maybe your dream home is just around the corner. So, for this step, you have several options – you can attend open house events, you can book a private tour with real estate agents and owners, or you can view the houses digitally, that is online. Whatever you decide to do, be sure to check every inch of that home.
And, when viewing it, do not pay attention to the cleanliness of the home (you can always deep clean your home before moving in), but, look for hidden problems (damaged roof, damp basement, leaking faucets, etc.). If possible, that is, if your budget allows it, bring a licensed home inspector with you when touring the houses.