MORTGAGES
MORTGAGES
What do I need to know about the area?
Once you have found a possible home, chat to real estate agents in the area to find out about the benefits of living there. To get a more comprehensive picture, scan relevant social media platforms and neighbourhood groups to see what other people are saying about the area. If you pick up comments about recent crime spikes, or frustration about poor municipal service delivery, it may not be an ideal suburb to live in.
Why is the home on the market and how long has it been listed?
Don’ t be afraid to ask the seller why the home is on the market and how long it has been listed. If the home is in a sought-after area, but has been on the market for a while, there could be issues with the property that you need to be aware of.
Perhaps the property is priced incorrectly. Have a look at online listings to compare prices of similar properties in the area. This gives you a good idea of the value of the home you would like to buy, says Bendall.
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