Buying a new home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in your lifetime. You should consider not only where you are in life now but where you expect to be in 5, 10, or 20 years. When purchasing your new home, it’s also very important not to overlook practical considerations, such as the neighborhood.

Financial Considerations Before Buying a New Home

You may be a first-timer or homeowner, who have just started a new job with an uncertain future, or just landed your dream job and are now looking for your dream home. Or maybe your family is growing and you need a bigger place to spread out. Perhaps you and your spouse are now retired. Regardless of your situation, new homes in Las Cruces, NM, El Paso, TX, Albuquerque, NM, or San Antonio, TX are desirable locations to live in, work in, play in, raise a family or retire.

Now that you’re ready to buy, it’s time to become familiar with the home buying process, and determine how much house you can afford, the closing costs and the down payment that mortgage lenders require. Evaluate your expenses to get an idea of where you want your monthly mortgage payment to be. Make sure you take things such as car payments, utilities, repairs, homeowners insurance, contingencies childcare, extracurricular activity fees, groceries and incidentals into account. Once you have an idea of what you can afford, meet with a preferred lender to get pre-qualified. Your credit score is important and the credit report will determine the interest rate to be paid on the purchase price as a home buyer.

You want a house that suits your needs, but make sure the house also fits your budget. Consider a new construction home with a warranty.

Practical Considerations Before Buying a New Home

Price is not everything. Consider what you want and need from your home. Are the rooms large enough and their energy efficiency? Is the landscape easy to maintain? Is the neighborhood well-kept? Are there parks & amenities nearby? Choose a neighborhood that suits your lifestyle. Do you want a quiet setting with older residents or one with couples and young children? Do you need to be near an interstate to shorten your work commute? What is the reputation of the school district in the area? Are there walking trails nearby? Consider the property taxes payable. Consider using a home inspector for the home inspection appraisal, for example plumbing and electrical issues.

When buying a new home,  choosing your location can be as important as choosing the right home. A real estate agent will help you locate homes that meet your needs and are in your price range, then meet with you to view those sellers homes and facilitate the negotiations.

Picture yourself in the home now and years from now.