The moment you decide to become a first-time home buyer is a huge feat on its own. After all, buying a home is both a momentous financial and emotional commitment. And just like any critical decision, you need to be sure it's right for you, no matter what anybody else says.
Asking the right questions is crucial, especially when plunging into homeownership. There's always been a long checklist of questions for you to know and understand every part of the real estate transaction—from your home search, inspection, up until closing or even beyond. There are also many insightful questions geared towards your mortgage broker, real estate agent, home inspector, and other professionals that are part of the homebuying process.
But how about “soul searching” questions you should be asking yourself first? Many times, these questions are often overlooked simply because they can make you feel uncomfortable. But the decision to purchase a home, despite being influenced by different factors, is deeply personal and subjective. Hence, it should be taken only after checking everything carefully. And that includes checking within yourself.
So, even before starting your home search and hiring a local real estate agent, here are five crucial questions to ask yourself before deciding to buy your first home:
1. Why do I want to own a home?
The first question to ask yourself is this: What's my real reason for wanting to buy? Even though homeownership might make more sense in many aspects, understanding your own motivation can provide clarity and help align your decisions.
Remember that there’s no right or wrong answer—just something that truly resonates with you and your goals. Are you buying your first home out of practicality, insecurity, or societal expectations? Do you see it as an investment? Or are you just trying to sell yourself the idea of owning a home? Do you see it as a symbol of your freedom and independence? Are you itching to redesign your rooms with some Pinterest-inspired ideas?
Some reasons might be better than others, so it is crucial to recognize your desire to purchase. After all, homeownership is a big life decision, and you need to be fully aware of the commitment it requires before you sign on the dotted line.
2. Have I recently gone through a loss?
Have you recently gone through a painful breakup, the death of a loved one, lost your job, or suffered any negative event in your life? Emotionally speaking, we feel like the best way to cope during a time of loss is to start over. And there's nothing wrong with wanting a reset, to aim for a fresh, new beginning.
However, a time of loss is truly a challenging, high-stress moment, which means it might not be the best time to take on a huge responsibility such as having a mortgage. Moving is probably for the best, yes, but buying a new home is an entirely different situation. Will you be able to handle taking out a home loan when you’re still not stable emotionally?
Stability is key when it comes to buying a home, and the last thing you’d want is to be in a situation where you purchase a home and then find yourself faced with the need to change things up because you subconsciously make housing decisions out of stress, frustrations, or fear. It's better to wait until you’re past a negative phase in your life to potentially avoid major headaches and only make things worse.
3. Am I okay with staying put?
Are you ready to commit to living in one place for a considerably longer time? When thinking about these questions, also take into consideration the following:
Will I be changing jobs anytime soon?
Is getting married part of my long-term plan?
Am I going to start a family (in the near future)?
Will I need to move back home to take care of aging or sick parents?
While there's no way to predict what exactly will happen in your life in the next five to ten years, it’s good to have a general idea of where you’ll be. If you’re thinking about purchasing your first home but in the back of your mind, you’d like to try living in another city or country sometime soon, you might want to reconsider your decision.
Buying a home takes time, and it’s considered a long-term investment for this reason. Moving also takes time, and so does settling down and enjoying your new home. It’s better to stay put for at least five years to gain enough equity from your home and make it a sound financial investment. Otherwise, if you sell earlier, you may end up taking a loss on the deal.
4. Am I ready for a mortgage?
There's no denying that getting a mortgage is complicated. But unless you pay for your house in cash, you’ll have to prepare yourself for having monthly mortgage payments. In this case, it might be helpful to find yourself: Am I okay with owing money to the bank?
Your payments will stretch out over the years—may it be a 15- or 30-year mortgage. You will have to pay the interest on the loan as well. It can also be difficult to pay down your principal when you’re constantly trying to cover other costs, such as insurance, property taxes, and other related expenses. It’s a huge challenge that is not for the faint of heart. This is why it’s critical to assess what your monthly mortgage payments will look like after buying a house and how it will affect your household expenses and overall budget.
5. Am I prepared to be a homeowner?
If you're going from being a renter to a homeowner, don’t miss this important question. Can you tolerate the not-so-pleasant parts of homeownership? While there are many benefits of owning a home, there are also responsibilities, which is why you must ask yourself if you’re ready to be a homeowner.
Responsibilities such as upkeep, general maintenance, and unexpected repairs are things you have to keep in mind. Are you ready for these things? Do you have the time, interest, and the right skills to handle basic maintenance tasks around the home? If not, will you have enough funds or be able to save up enough to hire professional help for advanced repairs?
After all, as a homeowner, you are your landlord! So if you can't imagine having a home maintenance issue without a landlord to call to solve it, you might want to put off buying for now or at least consider a low-maintenance option, such as a condo or new construction.
Final Thoughts
Owning a home is like being in a “long-term relationship” with no easy way out. You should not only be financially ready, but you should be emotionally prepared as well before deciding to purchase. If your heart isn't in it and you’re not yet ready for the long-term commitment, it’s best to reconsider before taking the plunge.
