How much house can I afford?

This is probably the #1 most important question to ask yourself. There is nothing worse than buying a house you really can’t afford to pay for. Foreclosure rates are currently on the rise because too many people are buying the home they want instead of buying the home they can afford.

A good idea might be to let your loan officer know what you can pay each month and they can tell you what price range to look at.

For more details, visit How Much House Can I Afford.

Do I need to get pre-qualified for a loan?

It’s not a bad idea. Any mortgage lender or broker can run your numbers and pre-qualify you. However, most often you can get pre-qualified for more house than you can afford. Just because you qualify for $400,000 doesn’t mean you can afford the monthly payment.

Your mortgage broker should give you a "Good Faith" estimate which will break down closing costs, interest and estimated monthly payments for the amount you pre-qualify for. Ask for good faith estimates on both the high and low ends so you have a good idea of what you are working with money wise.

Get pre-qualified today, contact a Tehachapi Mortgage Adviser.

Should I shop around for a loan?

All loans are not created equal so most definitely shop around! Look at it this way, it’s your money you’re spending so it’s important to shop for the right loan that keeps as much money in your pocket as possible.

Check out these resources: Types of Mortgages, Tehachapi Mortgage Advisers

What type of mortgage is right for me?

There are a lot of different mortgages on the market today. Which one is best for you depends a lot on your credit score, your down payment, your current financial status and your long-term plans for buying your home.

Learn more about common mortgages in Tehachapi.

What’s an impound or escrow account?

Each month when you make your mortgage payment a little of the money is deposited into the impound account which will be used to pay your property taxes and homeowners insurance. By establishing an escrow or impound account you will pay more money out of pocket every month but the upside is that you don’t get hit with a huge bill during the year to pay your taxes and insurance.

Ask your Tehachapi Mortgage Adviser for more details.

What do I need to do before shopping for a home or real estate?

There are a few things that should be done before you go out and start shopping for a home.

• Figure out how much house you can afford.
• Build your wish list: what features do want or need in your home?
• Choose a real estate agent. Demand experience, look for commitment to you as a buyer and conduct interviews. The bottom line is you want an agent who is willing to work for you.

Find Tehachapi Real Estate Agents and Realtors

How do I make an offer?

So you found the home you want to buy. Now you need to make an offer. When making an offer take into consideration the following:

• The asking price of the home or property.
• How long the home or property has been on the market.
• The condition of the home.
• How quick the seller needs to be free of the property.
• How much you are willing to pay for the home or property.

Find out more about "Making An Offer". When in doubt, ask your Tehachapi Real Estate Agent for assistance.

What do I need to do before I put my house on the market?

The process of selling a home in Tehachapi may seem complex but it’s actually quite straight-forward. The first step to take before placing your home on the real estate market is to make it’s presentation desirable by:

• Clean from top to bottom.
• Remove all trash and debris from the premises.
• Remove any clutter, both inside and out.
• Consider a fresh coat of paint both inside and out.
• Shampoo the carpeting.

Make sure you do all this before putting your home on the market. Most likely you will get the largest amount of viewers during the initial period your home is on the market. Remember, presentation is everything!

How do I save money on my home owners insurance?

That’s a darn good question considering you have to have home owners insurance. Again, the more money you keep in your pocket the better.

The best ways to save money on home owners insurance is to:

• Shop Around: Contact at least 3 insurance agents / companies and see who can give you the best rate.
• Raise Your Deductible: The deductible is the amount you, as the policy holder, must pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. By going with a $1000 or $2500 deductible you can save up to 25% of the annual premium of $500 deductible.
• Multiple Policy Discounts: Try to buy your home owners insurance policy and your auto insurance from the same company to receive multiple policy discounts.
• Stay with the Same Insurer: Some insurance companies offer a long-term policy holder discount if you been with them for several years.

Find a Tehachapi insurance agent.

What about the schools in Tehachapi?

Tehachapi Unified School District governs the the public schools in the area. There are two private schools and several daycare / pre-schools. [MORE]

What is there to do in Tehachapi, California?

There are a number of Outdoor Recreational opportunities in the area like, hiking, horse back riding, fishing and more. The best place to go to find things to do in Tehachapi is www.WheresTehachapi.com

Who can I contact for local utilities like water, phone, and internet?

Visit our Local Utilities page. You’ll find all the contact information for water & trash services, high speed internet options as well as contact information for gas, propane and electric services. [MORE]