Buying a Home in Utah: A Buyer’s Guide
Purchasing a home in Utah is so exciting that it requires a lot of patience and endurance. Of course, some areas are able to move homes more quickly than others, which is why you’ll need your patience. It is very common to get beat to a sale or to get into a bidding war.
Because the process can sometimes take a while due to market conditions and the local economy, it’s a good idea to get a few things straight while you are house hunting. The more you know about Utah’s real estate trends, the better off you’ll be. Let’s take a look at the steps you don’t want to miss.
Down Payment
When you plan and budget appropriately you can have a sizable down payment to put down on any of the spectacular move in ready homes Utah. Typically, you want to have 20% of the purchase price to put down. This will allow you to have a lower mortgage payment, pay less interest, and forego having to purchase mortgage insurance. There are some exceptions to the rule, like VA loans and down payment assistance programs.
Realtor
Find a real estate agent that you can trust and who is knowledgeable about the market and its conditions. Interview several agents and choose the one who you feel is going to help you meet your goal. Ask how long they’ve been in real estate and how many sales they’ve made in the past year. It is also helpful to know if they’re experienced with homes in your price range.
Get Preapproved
Don’t just start combing the Internet for homes without knowing your budget. Get pre-approved before you dive into the housing market. This will keep you from unnecessary disappointments and help you set a realistic price range that doesn’t take you to the very top of your budget. Remember, home ownership comes with a lot of maintenance and repairs, so plan for the unexpected once you’re a homeowner.
Location, Location, Location
Location matters. You know where you want to be and what neighborhoods have homes in your price range. Ask your real estate agent about the schools, noise, and traffic. Make sure you’ll be within a manageable radius from the things that are most important to you.
Make an Offer
Once you’ve got the above-listed things together, you can start actively house hunting. In Utah, there are typically more homes to choose from in the month of May and the fewest in December. And once you find the house that’s calling your name, make an offer. Depending on the time of year you buy, the average length of time homes stay on the market can range between 40 and 70 days.
Inspections and Appraisals
Your offer has been accepted, so now you can move forward with inspections and appraisals to evaluate the inner workings of the house and ensure that you’re paying a fair price. If there are any red flags, listen to them. You don’t want to experience buyer’s remorse.
Closing
When everything is in the order you can finally close on your new home and move on in. You’ll pay your closing costs, go over and sign all the necessary documents, and get your keys.
It may seem like a lot to buy a home in Utah, but if you take your time and follow the process, you’re more likely to get a house that you love and are excited about moving into. Even if you’re not quite ready to be a homeowner, it’s never too late to start paying attention to real estate trends and market conditions so that you can feel more confident when you are ready to start your journey to homeownership.
