10 Tips for First-Time Home Buyers in Washington, DC

If you’re thinking about buying your first home, you may feel like you’re underprepared. After all, buying a home may be the largest and most important financial decision of your life thus far, and it can be an overwhelming process for many. To make sure you’re ready for anything that could come your way during this exciting and uncertain process, here are our Top 10 Tips for first-time home buyers:

Start Saving Up Early
Keep Your Credit Score Strong
Decide What You Can Afford in Washington DC
Fully Utilize Open Houses
Negotiate With the Seller
Consider Mortgage Options
Stay Within Your Budget
Buy Quality Home Insurance
Look Into DC Assistance Programs
Pick a Good Real Estate Agent

1. Start Saving Up Early

It may seem like obvious advice for some, but the truth is it’s never too early to start saving, and too many home buyers procrastinate when it comes to this important step. It’s no secret that there are a lot of costs involved in buying a house, so you should set aside money long before you intend to buy a house at all. If you’ve already been saving up for a while, you’ll already have a starting point to pay for things like your down payment, closing costs, and home repairs.

2. Keep Your Credit Score Strong

A good and solid credit score could significantly lower the interest rate you pay on your home and make it easier to navigate loans and mortgages. Before you consider buying a house, start tracking your credit score and taking steps to keep it strong.

3. Decide What You Can Afford in Washington DC

As with any important financial decision, you’ll need a strong budget that leaves you with enough wiggle room after you buy your home. It’s important that you know what your exact limit should be so you can have a clear idea of your price range and the houses you should be considering.

4. Fully Utilize Open Houses

When touring an open house, keep an eye out for any red flags that might point toward serious issues with the home itself. Is there any water damage, or any appliances that may need replacing? Recognizing little things like this could warn you of unexpected costly repairs down the line. Really get a feel for the rooms and think about how the house might suit your needs. Voice any questions or concerns you might have, and your real estate agent will be able to provide you with the answers you need.

5. Negotiate with the Seller

During the negotiation period, you can ask the seller to make repairs to the house beforehand or even pay a portion of the closing costs for you. Their willingness to do these things will depend on the current state of the DC Housing market and the current demand for the home, so be sure to discuss any negotiation tactics you have with your real estate agent before you approach the seller with your requests.

6. Consider Mortgage Options

Most mortgage plans will fall under these four categories: conventional mortgages, VA loans, FHA loans, and USDA loans. These will vary in terms of down payment, timeframe, and who has access to them. So before you start shopping for a home, do some research and decide which mortgage plan would suit you the best. And at Reynolds EmpowerHome Team, we have our very own in-house Mortgage Company, EmpowerHome Mortgage, which can help you get pre-approved fast so you can move into your dream home! Visit HERE for more information!

7. Stay Within Your Budget

One of the most important rules when buying a home is to stay within the budget you’ve set for yourself. When you’re caught bidding against someone, you may be tempted to pay whatever it takes to get your dream home, but in the end, it’s never worth it to end up owing more money than you have. Don’t worry if you have to give up on one house because the price gets too high! There are other houses on their way to the market.

8. Buy Quality Home Insurance

Look into different homeowner’s insurance plans and make sure you’re prepared for anything that comes your way. The last thing you want to do is not invest in quality insurance and be caught having to pay for home repairs out of pocket.

9. Look into DC Assistance Programs

There are lots of programs, both online and in-person, designed to help first-time home buyers make the right decisions and get help or advice where it’s needed. Many states offer these programs in different cities and counties, and it might be a great idea to research these resources if you have questions about buying a home and could benefit from professional advice.

10. Pick a Good Real Estate Agent

Since they are the avenue through which you find and buy a home, a real estate agent can really make or break your house-hunting experience. You want to make sure you pick an experienced agent who has the knowledge and skill to find you the best deal for your dream home. At Reynolds EmpowerHome Team, we have decades of Real Estate experience, so you can rest assured that we know just how to find you the perfect home stress-free! Call us today at 571-470-5447 to find out what sets us apart from other realtors!

If you’re a first-time buyer who still has questions, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered! On the first Tuesday of every month, we hold a FREE virtual First-Time Homebuyer Workshop for people just like you, who are looking to take the next big step in life! Hosted by Sarah Reynolds, EmpowerHome CEO, our workshop will tell you all the helpful insider tips you need to know before you buy your first home, including: