With lots attractive homes for sale in Laval, it’s often tempting to just let your heart make the decision. That’s not exactly a wise thing to do, especially with the amount of money involved and the effect it will have on your lifestyle.

You can go far if you heed the following tips when you buy a house to live in:

1. Don’t even try to anticipate the housing market. This is a crucial rule of thumb unless you’re actually just buying homes as purely real estate investments. If you’re looking for a home to live in, then the best time to buy depends on 2 basic factors. One, you’ve found the perfect home for your needs. Two, you can afford it.
2. Get pre-approved for your montage. This is different from being pre-qualified, which is easy. With pre-approval, you get a much more accurate idea of the loan you will get so you know which houses are actually within your means. Getting preapproval also helps you find out about hidden fees that may come with the home loan.
3. Before you decide to buy a house, refrain from large purchases. You should really keep a tight leash on your money for about 6 months before you decide to buy a new house. That’s so you minimize the risk to your credit profile. Instead, you can use this time frame to pay off any debts you may have. That’s especially true for credit card debts.

The mortgage lenders want to see firm evidence that you’re a responsible borrower, and that they’re not really risking their money at all. So show that you’re a financially responsible person by not making large purchases just before you buy a house.

4. Confirm that it really is the house for you. Buying a house because of its appearance is like buying a car just because it looks great inside and out. You have to check the engine too, and for a home you’re buying this means you need to have it looked at by a home inspector. This gives you an unbiased view of the home, plus it unearths any potential problem you may have overlooked. Any potential problems can be used as leverage to get a lower price during the negotiation.
5. Check the neighborhood too. It’s easy to be enamored by a gorgeous house that you can afford, but the reality is that the neighborhood it’s located in will play a huge role in how you will enjoy your new home. So drive by the house at different times of the day (morning, afternoon, late at night) to see what’s going on in the neighborhood. Drive from the house to your place of work in the morning and drive to the house after work hours, to get an idea of the traffic situation. Drive from the house to the grocery store and the mall where you may go to frequently as a resident.
6. Make sure that the property borders are clear. Get a survey done, so that you don’t end up with a border dispute with your neighbors. The area of your property will also determine your property tax, so this will help you get a better idea of your future financial situation.

Implement all these tips, and you drastically reduce the chances that you’ll end up regretting the purchase of your new home. When it comes to buying homes for sale in Laval or anywhere else, a clear head is always a better decision-maker than a smitten heart.