five financial tips to keep in mind while purchasing a new house
Buying a house can be an expensive affair, especially for a middle-class family in India looking to invest in their forever home. However, that doesn’t mean that you should compromise on your dream home. So whether you have forever dreamt of having elaborate cabinets for your kitchen space or having a room facing the river; you never run out of the necessary funds for it.But often, it is easier said than done. So here are certain points to keep in mind to ensure that you get your desired home without compromising on the quality
Clear all prior loans/debts: If you’re planning to make a huge investment like purchasing your dream home, you must ensure that all of your existing loans and debts like car or personal loans, etc, are paid prior. This is especially true, if you plan on taking a Home Loan to make this purchase as it is very difficult to have to serve two huge loans simultaneously. Moreover, clearing these prior loans will help you improve your CIBIL score before availing a home loan.
Budget for Interiors & Furnishing: If you plan on moving into your new place and make a fresh start, then you must also consider the money which will be spent on interior and furnishing. So, be it the cosy sofa that you had been eyeing to get for Netflix and chill or the specific tiling that makes your eyes light up, you will never be short of money to pay for these well-deserved luxuries.
Regular Income Source: When making a significant purchase like that of your new residence, make sure that you have a regular and dependable source of income. This would ensure that your financial plans don’t for a toss, especially in case of overhead expenditure or eventualities.
Monthly Household Expenses: Once you’ve made the decision to buy your dream home, you will also have to plan your budget and other related expenses accordingly. A good tip to keep in mind while making the investment is to try and cut down your household expenses by 25-30 per cent especially when you’ve taken out a home loan. This might hamper your lifestyle for the first six months, but will definitely help you reap the rewards later by providing better financial security.
Emergency Fund: Lastly, it is important to remember that unforeseen expenses can wreak havoc on your long-term financial plans if you aren’t judicious with your planning and investment. Life is full of uncertainties and one must always remain prepared. So, it is wise to keep short term financial backups which can be easily liquidated like Bank FD’s, Mutual Funds, etc, in addition to a reserve amount to always remain on the safe side.