Question: Should I look at 30 homes ? Should I try to have my Realtor show me every home I come across that I like?
Answer: No, your Realtor should talk with you about exactly what you are looking for. Size, Price, Location, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, must haves in the home, etc. [Read more…]
Question: As a first time homebuyer, what should my first step be?
Answer: Call us at Dargan Real Estate and we can give you some great lender’s information who can guide you through
the process of getting pre-approved. [Read more…]
This two story home located in the beautiful community of Myrtle Pointe will make a great future home. Conveniently located at 38th Avenue in Myrtle Beach, you will be close to all that Myrtle Beach has to offer including dining, shopping, banking, pharmacies and more. [Read more…]
This lovely, custom-built four bedroom home is in the perfect location, right in the heart of Murrells Inlet in the Silver Oaks community. Within walking or biking distance of the MarshWalk, the Inlet’s finest restaurants, shopping and entertainment venues, you and your guests will be close to all of the area’s hot spots.
The home has upgraded features including granite counters, a breakfast bar in the kitchen, stainless steel appliances, a natural gas fireplace to relax by, and a surround sound system throughout the house. The Master suite is on the first floor and has his and hers closets and vanities.
Three more bedrooms are on the second floor. The first bedroom has a full bathroom and separated sitting area and sits above the garage. The second and third bedrooms share a Jack and Jill style bathroom complete with individual vanities, a shower and a garden tub. Outdoor features of the home include a patio and front and rear porches.
This home is spacious and comfortable with an open floor plan and all the modern amenities you could need. Its desirable location and roomy layout make this house a must-see, so contact us today at Dargan Real Estate.
If you are a first time home buyer, buying a home can seem incredibly overwhelming. It’s no secret that purchasing a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in your lifetime. The following timeline can relieve some of the stress and anxiety you may be faced with during the home buying process.
Month 12: Review Your Credit
This is the time to really ask yourself if you are ready to be a homeowner. It’s important to review your credit to determine if you need to do any damage control. Do you need to build or enhance your credit? If so, check out this link about ways to boost your credit score before applying for a mortgage loan.
Month 11: Calculate How Much You Can Afford
Access your debts and pay down as much as you can. Ask yourself how you can increase your savings? Use a calculator to determine if you pre-qualify for a mortgage.
Month 10: Find Out What Kind of Home You Need
Consider the commute to work, possible transportation issues, the quality of nearby schools, and the amenities you want the most. Come up with a “Must Have List” (e.g. number of bedrooms and baths, multi-car garage, attic, basement, fireplace, pool, etc.)
Month 9: Research the Housing Market
Check out your favorite neighborhoods and the properties available that fit your needs. Talk to other homeowners in the area. View properties online to see if any are of particular interest to you. Tip: Pictures can be deceiving. Take a drive past the homes you are interested in before setting up an appointment with your real estate agent. You want to be sure the pictures live up to the property.
Month 8: Meet with Your Agent
Meet with your agent to discuss the current market conditions. Let them know the type of home you are looking to purchase. Mention any must-have amenities and which ones you are willing to sacrifice.
Month 7: Research Other Professionals
Research and meet with other professionals involved in the home buying process: inspectors, lawyers, and insurers. You want professionals you can trust to help you as you make this huge commitment.
Month 6: Organize Your Paperwork
Start putting together all of the paperwork needed to meet with your lender. You will need tax forms from the last two years (at least), asset statements, and income statements.
Month 5: Find a Mortgage Lender
Research local lenders, as well as outside lenders, and choose the one most suitable for you. Set up a meeting with them and complete the pre-approval process. A pre-approval will allow you to shop and negotiate with sellers seriously.
Month 4: Finalize the Contract
The contract phase will consist of an offer, a possible counter-offer, an agreement, and mortgage related paperwork. It will also consist of the final walkthrough and closing process.
Month 3: Logistics of Moving
The logistics of moving involve tying up all loose ends: terminating a lease, determining a move-in date, contacting utility providers, and more. You can read more about the logistics of moving by reading our post, Essential Address Checklist for New Home Buyers.
Month 2: The Move
Pack… Prepare your new home… Move!
Month 1: Contingency Plan
Come up with a Plan B. Don’t leave yourself without any options or financially strapped if something changes. What if you can’t move in right away as planned? Where will you store your belongings? Where will you sleep? Be organized and have a plan in place just in case you need it.
As home prices continue to rise, many homebuyers are considering condos or townhomes because they’re less expensive to buy. The good news: Myrtle Beach has a huge selection of condominiums to choose from and many offer an added benefit–gorgeous views of the Atlantic Ocean!
Buying a condo can be a great alternative to buying a house. However, the decision to purchase a condo is just as complex as it is with a house. PLUS–there’s a few additional things to consider.
Don’t worry; we’re here to help you sort it all out.
HOAs
We’ve already discussed the Pros & Cons of HOAs (Home Owner Associations), but homebuyers often forget to consider them before purchasing a condo.
While it’s definitely important to consider the cost of a monthly assessment fee (fees in Myrtle Beach range from $200 to $550 a month), it’s more important to determine the return investment on your money. For example, one HOA might offer the lowest fee but neglect to properly collect fees from members. That poses a huge problem when expensive repairs are needed because it could end up costing you more money in the long run.
Find out how delinquent dues are handled. Look through financial documents for upcoming assessments and the current amount held in reserve. Is it enough to cover the cost of upcoming repairs?
It’s also a good idea to call the property manager for additional information about the services offered and the property’s current financial situation. The more you ask, the better.
In addition, thoroughly read and consider the HOA rules and regulations or covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&R’s). Rules can dictate anything from what you can place on the balcony or hang on the front door to what types of pets are allowed on the property, if any.
You need to know if there’s anything listed in the covenant that you can’t live with or can’t live without.
Property Management
It’s often difficult to find public information about the property management of a specific complex. The best way to determine the overall happiness of residents is to ask for a copy of the minutes from the last board meeting. Reading over the meeting minutes will provide a general idea of any issues neighbors may be arguing about, the types of repairs coming up, and the amount of money being spent.
Also–if you get an opportunity to meet a current resident, ask them any questions you may have about the property.
Lifestyle
It’s important to remember that living in a condo or townhouse is much different than living in a single-family home. These differences include shared walls, added noise, and close interaction with neighbors. Are you prepared to live with these changes?
Questions to Consider:
What is the parking situation? Are spots reserved? Where are visitors required to park?
Are there quiet hours?
Are homeowners allowed to offer their unit as a vacation rental? Are homeowners allowed to lease their unit to short-term or long-term tenants?
What percentage of units are occupied by owners? *The higher the percentage, the more marketable the property should be at resale.
How much turnover occurs in the building? *This should tell you how happy owners are with the property. The average stay in a two-to-four unit building is five years and the average stay in a building with 5+ units is four years.
Is the building currently involved in litigation? *This is a bad sign. Attorney and court fees will eat away at the reserve and likely drive up assessment fees.
How much (and how often) have fees been raised in the past?
What amenities and maintenance is included in the assessment fee?
Does the monthly assessment fee include the cost of insurance on the building?
What special quarterly or annual fees have been mandated in the last five to ten years? How much was each owner required to pay?
1. Little or No Maintenance
It goes without saying that little maintenance (or none at all) is required when you purchase a new home versus a resale. That means you don’t have to worry about replacing the roof anytime soon or ripping down the outdated wallpaper. Buying a home is one of the most stressful events in one’s life. Think about how nice it would be to relax and enjoy your new home instead of working to make it the way you want it.
2. Warranties
In addition to less maintenance, new homes come with warranties that protect your wallet if anything goes wrong with the roofing or structure of the property. They offer new homebuyers a level of comfort and security that might not be possible with a resale property.
3. Modern & Efficient
New homes are built to code with efficiency in mind and stocked with equally efficient and modern appliances. These modern conveniences help reduce utility bills. In addition, newer homes can accommodate advanced technologies with more outlets and sophisticated security systems and lighting plans.
4. Customization
The ability to personalize your home is one of the biggest perks of buying a new home rather than a resale. You can customize everything from the flooring and countertops to the placement of the bathrooms. The options are endless.
5. Bargaining Power
The ability to bargain with a builder tends to be easier than bargaining with an individual homeowner. Individual sellers have an emotional attachment to the property that can blind them to the true value of the home. Also, builders are often financially stable and have the capacity to absorb a loss on a sale. Think about it: a small loss over a large number of lots hurts a lot less than the same loss on one.
Plain and simple: IT’S NEW.
I think we can all agree there’s nothing better than owning something that’s never been used. When you purchase a new home, you will be the first to sleep in the bedrooms, cook in the kitchen, and lounge in the den. There’s just something wonderful about it.