Becoming a first-time homebuyer is an exciting new life development. But it’s a milestone that, unfortunately, doesn’t come easy. It takes a lot of planning, strategizing and searching to find the perfect home that’s right for you – especially in an area as popular as Bryan-College Station.
Here are 6 tips for first-time homebuyers in Bryan-College Station, TX that we swear by:
1. Consider the location in Bryan-College Station, Texas
Now we know this sounds a little silly. If you’re looking to buy a home in the Bryan-College Station area, then you already have a “location” picked out, right? Well, not necessary. You know the parameter, but not the kind of neighborhood you’re looking for.
Consider what’s more important to you: Do you want a place that’s close to work? Should it be equidistant from your job and your spouse’s? Is it more important to you to live in a place that’s close to your child’s school or extracurricular activities?
These are things to take into account before moving. Also consider how long you plan to stay at your current job. Is this your “forever job” or are you hoping to move elsewhere? Maybe make a job change and get settled there before making the decision to move.
2. Crunch the numbers for living in Bryan-College Station, Texas
Be honest with yourself – we mean really, brutally honest: How much can you actually afford to spend a home? Typical suburban homes range from $150,000 to $400,000 depending on amenities and location, so you can usually find a home for any budget.
However, when you’re asking yourself this difficult question, also take into account property taxes for the region in which you’re hoping to purchase a new home.
For the Bryan-College Station area, property tax rates range from 0.45% to 1.36%, depending on the county in which your home technically resides. That’s a big difference. When you’re deciding on a location, also take property taxes into account.
3. Know the worth of home in Bryan-College Station, Texas
Despite what you’ve been taught about negotiating, you don’t want to low-ball a home seller when you make your first offer – especially not if you’re a first-time homebuyer. You’re new to the game. Don’t gamble if you’ve never played before.
You have to understand the worth of the home. We don’t mean just know the asking price. We want you to consider what this home is really “worth” to you and your family. Is it much closer to work? Could you save on gas? What’s the HOA like the area? Will the community features help you save on your entertainment budget?
Be sure to look at the comparables with your agent to determine the right asking price for the property and your personal financial situation.
4. Know your resources in Bryan-College Station, Texas
If you’re a first-time homebuyer in Bryan-College Station, then you may be eligible for the Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) sponsored by The City of College Station Community Development. If accepted, you could be awarded up to $10,000 to go toward your down payment. To qualify, you have to earn up to 80% of the Area Median Income.
If you’re a first-time homebuyer looking in Bryan, Texas specifically, you could also be eligible Bryan Home Buyer Assistance Program, sponsored by the Bryan Community Development Services Department. If accepted, you could earn up to $7,500 to go toward your down payment. To qualify, you must finish homebuyer counseling, contribute $1,000 toward the purchase of the home and satisfy a few other criteria.
5. Inspect your prospective new home in Bryan-College Station, Texas
It’s a cruel world out there. Not everything is as it seems. You may think you’ve finally found your dream home. This may seem like the perfect house, and that there’s no way there could be anything wrong with it.
Even if the home seller has the best intentions and a squeaky-clean conscience, you could wind up with a home that has a few bugs that need to be worked out (and we mean that both literally and figuratively).
Have someone inspect your home in Bryan-College Station before signing anything.
6. Find a real estate agent who knows Bryan-College Station, Texas
Unless you are Texas A&M University alumni, then the odds are that you’re not all that familiar with the nuances of Bryan-College Station. There’s much more than meets the eye. Any local could tell you that.
What you need is a real estate agent who knows the area like the back of their hand. Someone who understands what makes the area so desirable and someone who is willing to stop at nothing to help you find the house you have been dreaming about.
You’ll find exactly that kind of real estate agent at Brazos County Realty, LLC. My team and I can help you locate the perfect home in Bryan-College Station, one that can meet all your wants and needs. Just give us a call at 979-693-0201, and let us show you around. You won’t regret it.