SOUND OFF

Nathan Price

Q: What good advice should a Realtor give to a first-time homebuyer?

A: They should really know what options are available to them.

They may be a couple who lives in an apartment and would want to expand to a townhouse or gated community. They could live in an older home or build one from scratch. A first-time homebuyer would want to explore all of these options to see what is the best fit.

The second piece of advice is to be cognizant of all the expenses that come with buying a home. There are closing costs involved that sometimes throw the first-time buyer off-guard.

When they hear about escrow payment, it usually comes as a shock.

In addition to the taxes and insurance, there may be homeowner association fees depending on where they decided to move.

Most of all, first-time homebuyers should make sure they are able to afford the home they want. That way, if something changes, they are in a better position to adjust.

— Nathan Price, Mulholland Realty