Your wedding is only the first step to your marriage. You and your husband will be sharing your lives together, and part of that will be living under one roof. As you search for a place you'll call home, you'll come to realize that a major decision like buying your first house requires much time and thought. Below are some factors you should consider when shopping around for your first house.
Land Title
The Land Title is the most important piece of document in this endeavor. When you're buying a lot or house, ask the seller to present you with this document so you know that you'll be purchasing from the legitimate owner and not a bogus representative. If you do decide to purchase the lot, you will have to file a Deed of Sale to transfer the Land Title in your name.
Cost
Managing your money will be one of your challenges as a married couple, and the cost of the house you'll be buying will greatly affect your finances. Downpayments are usually at least 20 percent of the property's price--getting a housing loan is a common option for newlyweds to finance their home (check Pag-ibig and banks for their loan schemes). Factor in your incomes and your lifestyle to make sure you can pay off the remaining balance on your mortgage. If buying a house is overwhelming for you, consider renting space instead.
Location
Check if the potential house is near institutions and commercial and recreation centers like schools, hospitals, churches, and malls. If visiting your family often is important to you, consider the proximity of your house to your family's abode. Your workplace should also be easily accessible, and there should be convenient modes of transportation to get you around. Also, find out other details about the area's environment to give you a clearer idea of the living conditions there (Is the area prone to flooding? Is it near a landfill?). Another reason why you should think about the property's location is that certain cities are more expensive to live in than others.
Size
There may be just the two of you now, but take into consideration the future family members (if you plan on having kids) when purchasing your house. See if there will be enough space at least for your firstborn (you can move to a bigger space if you eventually have more family members). If you'll be living with extended family or household help, make sure that everyone will have his or her own space. Find ways to maximize space if you'll be living in a small unit.
Turnover
If you plan to buy a condo unit or a prefab house in its pre-selling stage, ask your realtor about the target date for the turnover. You'll be paying for the space but you won't be able to live in it immediately, so you also need to find a place to live in until the unit is ready for occupancy.
Repairs and Maintenance
Your first house doesn't have to be a new one--you can buy a pre-owned house and just renovate to your liking. While you can get excited over an old house's potential, think about how much repair needs to be done (check for things like leaking roofs, broken windows, peeling paint, or uneven floors). With an old house that needs major repairs, you might just end up spending more. However, if you think the repairs will be manageable, try to haggle for a better price in light of the additional work that the house needs. Also consider other features of the house that need upkeep. For instance, a house with a lawn will require you to shell out extra for maintaining a well-manicured yard.
