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So, you’ve decided it is time to buy your first home.  You are ready to set down your own roots and become a homeowner.  It’s an exciting time, but one that can be bit nerve-racking.

If you have chosen to look for real estate in Warwick, NY, you’ve made a great choice.  With lovely colonial homes, quaint bed and breakfasts, and only 60 miles to New York City, Warwick, New York is the ideal spot for your first real estate purchase.

To have a positive home buying experience, take the time to educate yourself on several important facets of buying a home.  These easy to understand and simple to implement tips for The Green Team will help ensure your Warwick, New York real estate buying experience is successful! 

• Pay Off Your Debt – While that may sound counter intuitive for a first time homebuyer trying to save as much as possible for a down payment, it actually makes sound financial sense.  All too often, first time home buyers focus on saving as much as possible for their down payment instead of paying off their other debts.

A better approach is to use extra cash to eliminate that deathly high credit card and other consumer debt interest.  Your credit card debt will limit how much you can borrow.  Follow this approach even if it means you end up putting down less on your future home in Warwick, NY.

• Figure Out How Much You Can Afford – This is an essential step to determine before you start your real estate hunt.  Figuring out how much you can spend on your new home is a function of how much you can borrow and how much you have for a down payment.  The basic rule of thumb that many banks, mortgage brokers and real estate agents recommend is that your annual taxes, mortgage payments and homeowner’s insurance should not exceed 28% of your gross income.

• Find a Great Agent – Finding a great agent is integral to your Warwick, NY real estate purchase.  The key is to shop for your agent first, and then find the home. You need someone who knows the area inside and out, has a great success rate in helping buyers find their dream home, and can provide you with honest advice regarding the homes you see. 

With an exceptional closing rate, superior customer service and in depth knowledge of the real estate market in Warwick, NY, The Green Team is your number one choice for buying a house in the Orange County New York area. 

• How to Rate Housing Inventory - Once you have found an agent that meets your needs, it’s time to start looking at houses.  It can be difficult to keep the details straight on each house you view, so here are few easy ideas to help you rate each home.
  • Bring a digital camera.
  • Take detailed notes about unusual features, colors and design elements.
  • Pay attention to the home’s surroundings.  What is next door?  Where are the schools located?  Determine if you like the home’s location.
  • Immediately after leaving the house, give it a rating from one to ten.
  • View your top choices a second time.  Take your time during your second viewing as you will see the home with different eyes and may notice elements you missed during your first viewing.