Your little bundle of joy is on the way – congratulations! But, wait – now you need a larger place. Now what?
Starting a family (or expanding the one you have) while also trying to align those life changes with buying a new home for your brood can test even the calmest couple’s stress level, especially in terms of timing.
Building a home from the ground up can be a long process, and high demand means that the existing housing market is both competitive and a “right place, right time” situation. Either scenario is enough to drive any couple straight to the ice cream aisle at H-E-B.
The good news is that myHouseby is changing the new home process entirely, bringing new home buying together with next-generation technology — making it a lot easier for you to find the house that’s right for you and your family, without cleaning out the entire shelf of Ben & Jerry’s. Here are some tips to make it happen:
1. Get your financial house in order first.
Experts say the best home for you is the one you can comfortably afford – and preferably on just one income. Keep that in mind when searching for a home and talk to your bank or credit union about getting pre-approved for a mortgage. Keep an eye on rates, too. If it’s a great rate, lock it in for 30 days – it’ll take the pressure off any potential rate changes and give you more time to find the home that works for you.
2. If you want to build, start with myHouseby.
One of the big benefits of myHouseby is saving buyers time when they want to build a house. No need to run all over town with a baby or when you’re waddling around the city to check out neighborhoods and interview builders. With a cadre of consolidated builders, communities and home plans, it’s easy to select a floor plan right from your living room and just start designing. You’ll also see pricing on the plan and any options you decide to add as you personalize your new home.
3. Just wait: Patience is a virtue:
If it’s your first baby and the market is super-hot, consider waiting until after the baby arrives to search for a home. With myHouseby, it’s all about saving you time, and it’s a lot easier to relax in your current abode while designing your future one. Relax, enjoy the time, and don’t stress about the housing market. Do your research, get educated on potential areas of town you’d like to live, get your finances in order, and get pre-approved for a mortgage while you’re designing your home on your schedule.
4. Better yet, wait until winter:
Or, for those of us in Texas, wait until it’s not 100 degrees. According to a 2017 Trulia report, the number of starter homes on the market peaked between October and December in 70 of the 100 largest US metros – which means there are more options when the leaves fall (or when the mercury drops below 90!) for those looking to buy a home. Waiting could also save you some cash: Trulia reported a decline in the prices of starter homes between January and March 2017. In general, home prices tend to be highest in June and July and start to drop in January or February – proof that home buying has a season that buyers can use to their advantage.
5. Be a tourist and consider renting – if only for the weekend:
If you’re new to Austin, figuring out where you want to live can be a bit of a challenge. So many cool neighborhoods! So many options! Whether it’s an urban vibe in a condo downtown, tree-lined streets near the University of Texas campus, or proximity to the hottest restaurants and shops in the Domain, identifying the ideal neighborhood can be tough and put undue pressure on what is already a delicate life transition. So, don’t! Get out and explore, pick two or three neighborhoods you might like, and then pretend you’re a tourist. Take advantage of short-term rentals and spend a weekend in different areas of town to get a feel of whether you might like to stay long term. What are the schools like? Check out the neighbors: Are they families with young kids, or is it an area of retired UT professors that have lived there since the ‘50s? What about neighborhood amenities and grocery stores? Is there a pool or park within walking distance? Is it a walkable area of town, or would you be a bit nervous riding your bike on busy streets? Pick up home sale flyers: Is this a neighborhood that could work for you financially? Are there area builders you like?
Bottom line
Think about your lifestyle and match it to a few areas of town that really click. Once you’ve identified your top picks, you can do more in-depth discovery on myHouseby.com.
Considering your next home purchase? Check out the resources on myHouseby: We can help with your research, save you valuable time, and make it easier for you to discover and find the right home for your lifestyle.