Relocating to Maryland, how long must i wait, if at all, before i should consider purchasing?

Profile picture for Up.And.Coming
I am relocating to Maryland at end of Dec. 2011. I am finally ready to grow up and buy home. I was planning to purchase something before moving there (so i wont be stuck in another rental lease for another year, etc), but i am told  it is unwise to buy without first living in Maryland. I agree, but how long must i wait? should i get preapproved and find and agent, etc, now if am not planning to close until next summer?

I appreciate your answers!
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August 17 2011 - US
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Answers (7)

  If you changed completely from your pre-move line of work you are going to have to wait several years.

no you won't which underscores why people not licensed to originate mortgages have no business both legally and otherwise in providing advice on mortgages. 

Avoid like a bad rash anyone who spews the mantra "now is the time to buy", it'll only lead to a poor buying experience.

What city (or county) are you moving to?



 


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August 30 2011
I would certainly wait for 6 months to a year after moving to Maryland. We moved here a few years ago from Georgia and I am so happy we waited to buy. What I thought I was looking for ended up being completely different then what ended up working out for me.
You have to consider location, type of home (single family, townhouse or condo), commute (what type of traffic you can deal with). Are schools important to you? Is water access important? There are so many variables and it takes time to sort through.
I will be happy to talk to you about my experience moving here if you like.
I would recommend getting started with a lender soon. There are many on Zillow to talk to or we can recommend someone.
Good Luck and congratulations on the move.
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August 30 2011
You are right, it is NOT wise to buy right away.  There is a lot to consider and first and foremost the stability of your new job.  Also, getting to know the new town, the schools, demographics such as crime, parks and recreation, proximity to work and your interests.  All these things must be considered when purchasing a property.
You will be the best judge of the time frame, but as good as the market is right now, I would not suggest you jump into it until you feel you have crossed all the T's and dotted all the i's.  The market will be attractive long enough to be able to wait for the right time.
When the right time arrives and you feel comfortable enough to embark into home purchase, contact a reputable Realtor (member of NAR) who will be able to guide you through the process and help you make a wise decision.  Don't be afraid to ask for references.  We professionals love to provide them when asked...You will do well!
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August 30 2011
Profile picture for Lanre Folayan
All I am going to say is it is a great time to buy a house. Average interest rates are 4.10%. There are many programs for first time home buyers and there are a lot of inventory of homes for you to choose from. Much luck to you with your decision.
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August 29 2011
Profile picture for jennbonk
As the saying goes--time will tell.  You need to get the lay of the land and you must be confident that your new job is stable.  Maryland has a lot to offer and now is a great time to buy but I would encourage you to rent for at least a year and see how it goes.  Obviously, there are several factors in making this decision.  I can help you determine a gameplan and get you in a home when the time is right.
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August 27 2011
Profile picture for sunnyview
I would not buy in a new area before you have lived there for at least 6 months and 1 year is even better. You simply cannot pick your best fit neighborhood and any agent you hire will have a different frame of reference than you do in your old community.

It can be hard to describe exactly what you want in a neighborhood, house or area without a common reference. You could tell me that you love the country feel of Apple Hill, but want the convenience of Fair Oaks. If the agent does not know the feel of those areas, they can only guess about what will make you feel at home.

Start looking for a house right away, going to open houses, talking to people, marking up a local map with areas you like to look up at home in more detail, but do not buy until you have acclimated to the area. Buying right away is convenient, but most houses purchased that way are sold within 2-3 years and that can be expensive.
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August 17 2011
Profile picture for B Mike West
Contact a loan officer in the local Maryland area.  Fill them in and answer their questions.  It is always best to get approved before you shop.  If you are in the same line of work you were before your move there should not be much of a problem.  If you changed completely from your pre-move line of work you are going to have to wait several years.  You can work in improving your credit score while you are waiting.

Once you learn if you are qualified for a loan and for how much, contact a local Realtor and start looking.

Good luck in your search.
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August 17 2011
 

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