If you want to set your roots in the Golden Empire, you need to find a perfect house for you. House hunting in Kern County can be quite an interesting experience if you know what you’re looking for. If you do all the steps right, you and your family will be moving into a brand-new home in no time. So, let’s take you on a journey and show you all the things you need to consider.
The reason you’re house hunting in Kern County, CA
The first thing you need to consider before actually going for a house hunt is – why exactly are you doing this? Kern County is an interesting piece of land with a lot of:
- gold
- oil
- agriculture products
Your professional interest in any of these three things will surely bring you to the doorstep of the Golden Empire. There is no quite the same piece of land in the whole United States of America. So, if you’re one of the people that enjoy a good treasure hunt for gold and oils, you’re in for a treat. Also, if your dream job is physical work and making your own agricultural products from scratch with your two hands, this is definitely a place you’ll feel at home.
The other things you need to consider
Just like in any other house-hunting project, you need to take care of some very common things. Finding yourself a place to call home is not easy. You need to help your kids adapt to a new surroundings. Also, you need to learn to adapt yourself if you are coming from far away. It’s even harder when you have to stick to a budget and think about many other things. But, it’s worth it in the end if you do all the steps right.
Find out how much of a mortgage you can comfortably pay
It is a bad idea to start searching for a new house before determining how much money you have available to spend on it. Even if you are married. Keep in mind it is necessary to take the time to sit down and make a list of the things that are an absolute need for your new home. You run the danger of falling in love with a home that may bury you under a mountain of monthly obligations. As expert consultants at Hansen’s Moving and Storage CA say, do not purchase a home unless you can pay for it in full with cash or unless your monthly mortgage payment is. That includes any private mortgage insurance, homeowner’s association dues, property taxes, and homeowner’s insurance, which will not exceed 25 percent of your total take-home income.
Put money aside for a down payment
If you save less than a down payment equal to at least 10–20% of the entire price of the property, the additional amount that you will spend in interest and fees will smother any other financial ambitions that you may have. In order to avoid paying private mortgage insurance (PMI) for the duration of the loan, the down payment should be at least 20%.
You may experiment with various property prices within your budget by using our mortgage calculator. There, you can also input the amount of your down payment. As in every other moving, you need to stay true to your budget and not make any great swings to an extreme prices.
Get pre-approved for a mortgage
The process of being pre-approved for a mortgage requires some effort upfront. But, it will be worth it after you locate the home of your dreams. If you include your offer with a letter stating that you have been pre-approved for the loan, the seller will know that you are a serious buyer. They will have an easier time selling their home. Your best hope to avoid making enormous interest payments over the course of the loan’s lifetime is to get a mortgage with a fixed rate that lasts for 15 years.
Search for movers as soon as possible
Finding reliable people for logistical services can be hard. Especially if you do it at the last minute. As you need a safe transfer of your belongings, you need to get in touch with experienced folk. Look for the recommendation online. Also, you can ask your friends and neighbors. The important thing is to do it as early as possible in the process. That way you won’t stress about it later.
Take time to look for a reliable and experienced real estate agent
As in any other house hunting, you need to find a good real estate agent. An agent provides you with access to a multiple listing service, whih will be discussed in detail in some other article, and streamlines the remaining parts of the home-buying process, leading you to a fantastic property at an excellent price. You just cannot allow yourself to be without a capable real estate agent in this market! Keep in mind that you can go without them, but you’ll probably have to settle for a less appealing option.
Find a house where your family will be happy
For some families, moving to Kern County can be quite a cultural shock. Especially if your kids grew up in a super urban surroundings. Here, life is more chill and oriented to natural values. Educational system is also good. So, pay attention to school districts when looking for a place to live.
Final thoughts
As you see, there are many things to consider and think about when house hunting in Kern County. It’s not simply puting your finger on a property and telling it’s yours. But, with an extra effort put, there is an extra price at the end of the way. You’ll be surely rewarded with a beautiful place to settle in with your family. If you take all these things into consideration, you’ll surely live a happy life in the Golden Empire.