
Single ladies are shaking up the real estate market.
One of the biggest trends the real estate industry saw in 2016 was the increase single, female homebuyers. The National Association of REALTORS® reported single, female buyers comprised 15 percent of buyers while male buyers made up nine percent less.
Our REALTORS® know buying a home can be a tricky process--especially when you're flying solo. Here is our list of six tips for single, female home buyers.
- Know What You Want – And what you don't. It's good to have some room to adjust, but starting out with a firm idea of what you're after will make life much easier when buying a house. Identifying your top priorities will help you narrow your search and knowing what perks you can do without will help you find the best value for your investment. In addition to the home itself, consider what you want from your ideal neighborhood.
- Work with a Real Estate Agent – Whether you know exactly what you want or are still sorting it out, an experienced real estate agent will be a huge help as you shop for the right home. Agents have a great deal of neighborhood and market expertise, along with plenty of experience closing deals. Do some research and speak with a few agents to identify the best choice for your needs.
- Consider Condos – For single homebuyers with busy careers, living in a condo has many perks. An active condo association means you have to worry less about day-to-day property maintenance, while many condos have amenities on-site which add even more convenience, along with strong security. Just be sure to research the condo association before you get serious about making an offer.
- Shop for Financing – Securing a mortgage is a key part of buying a house. It's a good idea to shop around to find the best financing options. Shop various lenders to explore the options available before making a decision, and don't be afraid to ask questions. A strong credit score will be a huge help in securing the most favorable terms possible for your home financing.
- Scout Neighborhoods – For many shoppers, the neighborhood where a home is located is nearly as important as the home itself. Research different neighborhoods online and you'll definitely want to make some in-person visits once you identify your top choices. If a specific school district or social hub is especially important to you, then you've got the perfect place to start your neighborhood search.
- Build a Budget – If you have a very good credit score, you may find that lenders will offer larger loans than you had anticipated. But it's a good idea to set a fairly firm budget before you start shopping, and stick with it as closely as you can. Building a budget based on what you can realistically expect to pay will keep you from stretching your budget too thin, and allow you to get the most possible value for your home-buying investment.
Our real estate agents at Wright-Patt Realty love helping new homebuyers shop for the perfect home. Contact us when you're ready to start your search for a home.
