How to buy a house for the first time during a pandemic: 3 tips

The dream life for most of us is to own our home someday. So, we put in the extra hours and work to make enough income to buy a house. Now you’re ready to buy a house but unsure if it’s okay to take such a leap during a pandemic. The truth is there is no better time to own a house. Here is how to buy a house for the first time during a pandemic.

Although it may seem like things are not going as normal, life is going on fine whether or not there is a pandemic. There is a report on Bloomberg that there is a hike in home buying in the U.S. during this pandemic. So, if you’re ready to buy a home, go ahead and get it. However, there are some things you need to know before you buy a home. Here is how to buy a house for the first with no money down during a pandemic or post-pandemic.

Carry out due diligence on the Property

It is an exciting thing to get your home. However, there are some things you need to do before the actual purchase. One such thing is to carry out due diligence on the property. Whether you’re moving to a new city to buy a house or your current city, you need to carry out due diligence.

Due diligence before purchase helps you avoid making financial mistakes. You need to know that the property is valid for one without any legal issues. For any legal check, seek the advice of solicitors. Some banks actually do a thorough property search before lending for a home purchase. So, if there is anything shady, this will be spotted. Also, you need to check if the property is easily accessible ( if you want to commute anywhere).

Also, there are other factors you need to consider like the space, the size of the backyard, or the area (whether the place is safe or calm, etc.). So, before you opt to buy your home, ensure you carry out due diligence. This is one of the most important tips on how to buy a house for the first time to note.

Expect a slow process for purchase

The pandemic came with its own baggage and impact on the pace at which business is done. Most businesses are short-staffed or have to do most work remotely. Some businesses are still struggling with digitalizing their processes to do business. This also affects the real estate industry too. Another tip on how to buy a house for the first time during a pandemic is to expect the process to be quite slow.

Unlike before you may not be able to visit the property physically for perusal. You may have to opt for virtual meetings or room tours due to the pandemic. The process of appraisal may be slow due to the pandemic impact on businesses.

There may also be delays in scheduling home tours if you insist on an in-person tour. Who wouldn’t? I would love to see every part of my home before deciding. However, due to restricted movement and the pandemic, this may take time.

So, if you want to purchase your home during the pandemic, you need a lot of patience. This is to ensure that you are making the right choice before closing the purchase.

Have a budget

Another tip on how to buy a house for the first time during a pandemic is to have a budget. After the valuation of the property and doing due diligence, by now you know want the house. However, you don’t want have difficulty to paying your mortgage when due.

So, to know if your budget can cover your mortgage, use this mortgage calculator. It will give you a breakdown of your re-payment so you can use it to plan your budget.

Also, you need to plan for other expenses like home association fees, taxes, insurance, maintenance, etc. You may also need to opt for a house that will not need many renovations to cut costs. Property renovations are one place that drains funds in a home purchase.

However, if you don’t mind renovating to your taste, have a set budget. It is so easy to want all the home ideas on Pinterest without paying attention to your pocket.

Another reason you need to have a budget is to be able to pay for your mortgage payment with ease and also meet life obligations. You should have a budget for mortgage repayments, food, health care, etc. If your budget is set, you can jump right in and close the deal on your home purchase.

Creating a budget helps you know if your current income is ready to take on more expenses. However, if you’re not there yet, you need to look for ways to grow your income. You can read my post on how to give your career a boost in 2021. Growth in your career means more income and your dream of owning your home is achievable.

So, these tips on how to buy a house for the first time will come in handy whether during this pandemic or post-pandemic.