Sign up to get new listings emailed daily! JOIN SIGN IN
(567) 241-2642 Email (567) 241-2642
Jim Hairston
REALTOR®, Relocation Director
(567) 241-2642
Facebook Icon X Icon LinkedIn Icon 
Jim Hairston Blog

Subscribe and receive email notifications of new blog posts.




rss logo RSS Feed
Area News and Information | 14 Posts
Ashland Ohio | 2 Posts
Bellville Ohio | 3 Posts
Buy a House | 48 Posts
Community | 2 Posts
Distressed Properties | 9 Posts
Finance | 2 Posts
Galion Ohio | 1 Posts
Haring Realty | 1 Posts
Home Maintenance | 11 Posts
Home Maintenance Tips | 8 Posts
Homeownership | 95 Posts
Housing Market | 32 Posts
Housing Market | 89 Posts
Lexington Ohio | 2 Posts
Lucas Ohio | 2 Posts
Mansfield Ohio | 64 Posts
Marketing | 12 Posts
Money-Saving Tips | 1 Posts
Moving Tips | 3 Posts
Ontario, Ohio | 2 Posts
Richland County | 3 Posts
Sell Home | 4 Posts
Selling Your Home | 47 Posts
Shelby Ohio | 2 Posts
Tips for Buyers | 1 Posts
Tips for Sellers | 1 Posts
Uncategorized | 1 Posts
real estate overview Mansfield OH homes realtor richland county listing selling making offer today's real estate market Sellers Market Updates First Time Homebuyers For Buyers Move-Up Buyers For Sellers First Time Homebuyers For Buyers selling sell sales homes north central ohio Forclosures Distressed Properties House sales buyers sellers Finance Mortgage New Construction Remodeling Kitchens Bathrooms Resale Area Information Community Events Local Attractions Things to do Haring Realty Buying a house Home maintenance Home improvement Homeowner Selling Your House Lucas OH Outdoor Adventures Historic properties Holidays Home Safety Home-buying tips Millennial Buyers Closing Costs Home Loan Money-Saving DIY Add Value to Your Home top realtor Seller's Market Local businesses Restaurants Bellville OH Local breweries energy savings Down payment Real Estate Agent REALTOR® Shelby OH Ashland OH Ontario OH Ohio State Reformatory Family fun Festivals Inherit a Home Education Local colleges Giving Tuesday Local charities Open house For Owners Home tech Parks Home Decor Decorating Outside Projects Entertaining Home Inspection Crestline OH Crestview OH Delaware OH Lexington OH Madison OH Fredericktown OH Galion OH Hillsdale OH Loudonville/Perrysville School District Mapleton OH Clear Fork Valley School District Marengo OH Mount Gilead OH Plymouth OH Sunbury OH Landscaping Moving Bucyrus OH Loudonville OH Findlay OH Fostoria OH Bowling Green OH
English
November
28

November 28th, 2022 by

Starter-Home Tips for First-Time Buyers - Haring Realty

In the excitement of shopping for a home for the first time, it's tempting to rush into a purchase. But before you commit to buying, Our REALTORS® would like to remind you to answer a few important questions.

  • Can you afford it? 
    You may have obtained approval for a loan based on the mortgage amount, but did you consider other expenses that will increase? One big issue is the cost of utilities and water. How about the cost of your commute? High gas prices combined with a long drive to work can mean a big dent in your budget. Did you consider closing costs, HOA fees, and possible renovation costs? Make sure you review every detail with your real estate agent and ask questions to ensure your understanding before you agree to the contract.

  • Is the property in good condition?
    Many first-time home buyer programs require inspections to ensure there are no hidden problems with the property. If not, you should get one. Consider including a contingency in your offer to make sure the appraisal meets or exceeds the sale price. Inspections can reveal whether the house has been properly maintained over time. If not, you may be wise to keep looking, as repairs can be costly.

  • Can you envision a future in the house?
    Even if you are buying a starter home to build some equity and then moving on, you should stay in the house for at least three to five years to maximize your investment and avoid capital gains tax. Many families stay in the house for 30 years or more! Are you comfortable with the neighborhood? Are you happy with the school district? If you think this is a forever home, you need to keep these things in mind. Try to incorporate your future needs into your current decisions. 

  • Will the house meet your needs? 
    A condominium may seem perfect to a young couple just starting a life together, but will it be large enough for the family they wish to have in the next few years? You may get more for your money by purchasing a home on the outskirts of the city, but if the distance means friends and family no longer visit, it may not be a great bargain after all. You may want to keep looking at our Bucyrus homes for sale to find a more appropriate house. There are plenty to choose from!

  • Does the property offer potential?
    Do-it-yourself renovations are not for everyone. But if you can find a home that will increase in value with a little bit of elbow grease and modest improvements, it might be worthy of your consideration. A fresh coat of paint, updated cabinets, and upgraded flooring can generate a sizable return on investment. This is especially important to consider if you intend to stay in the house for just a few years. The more work you can do yourself, the greater your profits when you put the house on the market. 

If you've put your finances in order and considered what you want in a new home, you may be ready to start shopping. If that's the case, contact us. Our real estate professionals will be happy to help you every step of the way!

Categories: Buy a House
Tags: Mansfield OH, First Time Homebuyers, For Buyers, buyers, Buying a house, Lucas OH, Haring Realty, Home-buying tips, Shelby OH, Bellville OH, Ashland OH, Ontario OH, Crestline OH, Crestview OH, Delaware OH, Fredericktown OH, Galion OH, Hillsdale OH, Lexington OH, Madison OH, Mapleton OH, Marengo OH, Mount Gilead OH, Plymouth OH, Sunbury OH
Jim Hairston
Jim Hairston Cell: (567) 241-2642 Email Me
X IconLinkedIn Icon
Disclaimer: All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information on this site was last updated 04/14/2026. The listing information on this page last changed on 04/14/2026. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of Delta Media Group MLS (last updated Tue 04/14/2026 1:32:17 AM EST) or CBRMLS (last updated Tue 04/14/2026 12:44:28 AM EST) or Ashland MLS (last updated Mon 04/13/2026 10:00:38 PM EST) or Firelands MLS (last updated Mon 04/13/2026 11:11:45 PM EST) or MLS NOW (last updated Tue 04/14/2026 12:17:30 AM EST) or Mansfield MLS (last updated Mon 04/13/2026 11:47:14 PM EST). Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Haring Realty may be marked with the Internet Data Exchange logo and detailed information about those properties will include the name of the listing broker(s) when required by the MLS. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy / DMCA Notice / ADA Accessibility
Federal Housing Equal Opportunity Realtor
This site is hosted, designed and copyright © 1994 - 2026 by Delta Media Group, Inc. -- Patent Pending --
  

Login to My Homefinder

Forgot Password

Register

Get Pre-Approved

Pixel