hey friends ⛅️ comment below if you have any advice for someone trying to buy their first home in their 20s! 🏠 Are you in the process of saving up a down payment or touring homes yourself?
Check your area (the city, any city development authorities, etc.) to see if there are down payment assistance programs. There often are for full-time home buyers who earn less than a certain amount every year.
We are currently in this process !! Don’t have any groundbreaking tips other than every little bit really does count 💸 It seems so huge, but chipping away at it makes it more doable 🤎
I am not sure if this is 100% true, but people have been saying not to buy a newly constructed home at this time because the materials being used are very cheap. I would try to look into that cause same things are happening with cars this year as well.
I can totally see that. It reminds me of furniture. For example I buy my furniture second hand via Facebook market, Craigslist, Nextdoor app, thrift stores. Because these places sale solid wood furniture. And if your thinking of having kids it’s great because it will not tip over which the cheap furniture would, when babies start to climb on things. And all I would have to do with the solid wood furniture is to sand it down and paint. So if these new houses are being built on cheap materials, it can be seen in the furniture market as well. Such as “recycled” Yes, older houses would need the cost of maintenance however this is our opportunity to pick and choose the quality that goes into it. Kind regards, Denise
I have a few family members who work in architecture and construction and they’ve said similar things and to be cautious about homes built between 2020 and 2022. Obviously every builder is different, but I’d definitely take some extra time to research new builds and pay attention to inspections.
Yep. Bought a new build this year and regret it. It's just cheap, and we've had several issues due to it. Hopefully new build quality gets better in coming years.
Congrats on buying a house - it’s such a huge step! I have purchased 2 investment properties in the last two years & was a real estate agent for a year - so I’ve been through it lol My biggest piece of advice is be patient and don’t settle! There will ALWAYS be other homes on the market and other deals. Even if you go under contract on a home, if the inspection brings up items that you are uncomfortable with and the seller is unwilling to fix them, walk away while you can. It can be tough because it’s an emotional process but it’s worth. Also, I always remind myself that you date the interest rate and you marry the house. Interest rates will always fluctuate and you can refinance when it makes sense. Another thing I’ve learned to do is make a list of non-negotiable items that I’m looking for BEFORE I really get into the process. That way I have something that keeps me grounded through out the journey. Trust me it’s easy to start bending what you actually want when you start to see what’s on the market.
Yess this is so good! One of the things I’m struggling with is finding the right balance between finding a home I love and also staying realistic that there are some things that will need to budge to stay in my budget. It’s hard, also remembering that my first home doesn’t have to be my dream home ❤️😭
@@SelenaTrevino Totally! I mean the reality is even a new construction home is still handmade, so there are still imperfections. My first home I purchased was newly renovated and like $5000 over my budget and the second house is a cute 100 year old home with character (aka imperfections lol) but under my budget. And I love both for different reasons. You pick what’s most important to you right now because no matter what, you’re going to be SO proud when you are signing your papers at closing.
I would like to think I speak for us all when i say, WE love you sweetie! You are so responsible in your 20s and yes continue these vlogs of chatting about your life decisions. Also, i'm extremely proud for your first time home purchase process. I've always lived in apartments, but i'm sure 1 of your subs will tell you of their journey. Best of luck to you🥰 I truly love your spirit beautiful Selena
One thing to remember is that though some old houses may require more maintenance, but new builds too. There's still problems such as settling and you could see cracks etc. Previously owned homes also have home warranty for purchase. My boyfriend purchased a home during the pandemic and we've had the AC break, washer/dryer break, but home warranty helped with the costs! Wishing you the best :)
Hey Selena! Love the vlog. As I finish up the semester for grad school, you’re my comfort RUclipsr that helps my stress😂 as always love your openness and vulnerability. I haven’t bought a house however my cousins all just went through this with their spouses or even on their own. Both of them said a major thing is (as hard as this is) don’t fall in love fully with a house until you have the key in your hand. Even far into the process you may think it’s yours but the market is so crazy you never know. My dad is an attorney and also always says to not skip/trade any inspections or contingencies - it’s tempting if you find the house of your dreams, but your dreams are ruined when you find thousands of dollars worth of upgrades and damages needed 😅 LOL. I am so excited for you, good luck ❤
Yayyy! The home buying process is so exciting to embark on! We decided to buy for the same reasons as you! Rent increased way too much & we needed more space and a yard for our puppers! 🐶 Our home was the best purchase we’ve ever made! It took a lot of financial discipline but it’s so worth it! We went with a new build (so we were able to put our own special touches into everything) highly recommend! 👌🏾
We started seeing homes for market research in May and closed on our home in October 😂 when you fall in love with a house you feel so inclined to submit an offer to see what happens . I hope you find the perfect home for you Selena
Wow Selena that is so exciting about your future house! I have enjoyed following Kalyn Nicholson through the process of buying her dream home in the countryside, I'm excited to see where this leads you! 😊
I just bought my first home at 20 and it was a new construction. I checked out a couple new construction neighborhood and many of them were so cheap. I finally found a neighborhood that had new homes that seemed nice yet affordable for me. Take family and trusted people with you because realtors will do their best to ring your into it. Ask questions and don’t be afraid to tell them when you have issues or concerns. It’s been 6 months or living in my new home and I absolutely love it. I was able to put 20% down which helps with no PMI costs and I did it over a 15 year plan rather than 30. 30 year plans with interest will have you paying double what the home is worth. It will be hard at first but so worth it in the end and so fun watching your monthly mortgage go down. Be firm in what you want and don’t waiver. This is your first home so make it worth the wait and be patient as well. It will all work out. Also I just came across your video on my home page and I am definitely subscribing!!!
Omg Selena that movie is so beautiful and heart wrenching. I'm so happy you're parents are helping you out during your home buying journey because it get so overwhelming at times.
Loved your chatty vlog! I just purchased a new construction home over the summer for a fair price. All the reasons you listed were the same reasons a new construction was so attractive to me. Some words of caution: besides your down payment and closing costs, i added $50k in upgrades (this is my forever home, I was ok spending on the upgrades) and still spent another $37k to get the house move in ready (half of that was in landscaping and the rest was in furniture). There is a lot more I want to do but don’t want to get in debt to do it. I underestimated these additional costs. If you consider new build, just keep these extra expenses in mind. I don’t regret it. Looking forward to seeing your home buying journey!
Oh wow! First of all, CONGRATS!!❤️ second, thanks so much for sharing! I will take all the advice I can get. And honestly I want to save all the money I can before h move forward with this HUGE life changing decision haha
I bought my first home almost 9 years ago, just before I turned 30. Bumps in the road prevented me from doing it earlier. My suggestions are to have as much saved for a down payment as you possibly can AND plan to pay more than your minimum mortgage payment to get that paid off sooner. Also, have a list of "must-haves" and a list of "would be great to have"...this will help in narrowing your search and picking the one that is best for you. I would also try to decide if this will be a starter home with the intention of moving within 5 or 10 years. I was already married with two kids, so we decided this home is going to be the one until the kids move out and get settled on their own. Good luck and I can't wait to see where life takes you. Keep rocking it!
Thank you, this is amazing advice! This would def be more of a starter home for me that I’d move out of or maybe rent in the future, or sell to buy my dream home later. Who knows 😅
How exciting Selena!!! We are FINALLY going to start looking this coming January and I am BEYOND excited. We have been living with my in laws for the past 3 years! There are 10 people in this house so I can't wait to be able to get my kids their own space and get to decorate the way they want to. 🤗🤗
Pay attention to foundation, plumbing, and age of hvac. The underlying structure is more crucial then cosmetics. Plenty people throw in new floor and counters,,/cabinets to look pretty but it can easily have structural issues underneath.
Look in San Antonio! So many newly built homes under 300k! We bought a 2019 house with paid off solar and both the house and solar still have almost 20 year warranty left! This house was move in ready, haven’t done any maintenance since moving in. Just planting! Love the culture and food here! Close to Austin. Hope this helps :)
Don’t buy a new build. Everyone I know that did had major issues. Get a home inspection. Make sure it includes the HVaC, roof, etc. You can purchase a warranty to cover things, but as the wife of an HVaC guy, some aren’t worth it due to their payouts to the service companies (there aren’t companies willing to take the little they offer for the jobs). Get a home that needs updating, you can get it cheaper and make it yours. Termite inspection is huge. Radon testing. Also foundation inspection. Bought 2 homes and looking for income properties now.
I love a chatty vlog! Especially when it’s over a subject that can 100% help others! My husband and I built our home about 7 years ago but before we deducted to build we also considered buying an already built home. We ended up going with building simply because we could choose what we wanted and not have to compromise because we couldn’t find what we wanted. We also worked with a real estate agent whom was recommended by a friend which was helpful in knowing how she was from a reliable source and she was extremely helpful in helping us decide whether to build or not. She also in veiled words helped us know what builder to go with and who to avoid which was also nice! I do know it is possible if you purchase an already built to negotiate having some things fixed before settling such as having the roof replaced or foundation issues fixed; as well as you could have someone come and assess the house to see what issues there might be before you make an offer. Having the benefit of a warranty was wonderful however be careful because some don’t cover all appliances or in our case our hvac system was a separate warranty from the house that we had to call and activate. Take your time and make sure you happy with what you chose to do cuz above all else this is an investment for you! I’m excited to see your journey with home buying!
So exciting!! My biggest piece of advice is to talk to difference lenders you would want to use. I didn’t think we could buy a house (my husband had no credit basically, zero down payment). We used Cornerstone (I don’t know if they’re local-ish or not?) and they built credit for him, had a problem that paid most of our closing cost and gave us the 3% to put down (the interest rate was slightly higher than the regular mortgage, but still ended up being much cheaper than renting). So we went from not being able to buy to buying within a few months! Realtors didn’t give me great advice and neither did the internet, but the lender was helpful.
Selena your calm productivity motivates me to work on my goals. Thanks for sharing your d🙌aily life with us. 🌺 Also conrags on buying a house. We've recently bought one and it was the best decision.🙌
Hi Selena! I totally feel you on the rental prices in the DC area right now. My husband and I pay $1500 for a one-bedroom just outside of DC. I moved into this apartment 3 years ago and it was fine back then but as the rent has gone up each year and I've gotten married, I'm just ready for something bigger and I'm less and less able to justify paying so much for an apartment when I can put it towards my own house. We're planning to start looking for a house next year so I'm very excited to hear about your experience and what you learn along the way 😊
SELENA YESSSS COME BACK TO OREGON 🌲. I left Oregon when I was younger and moved to Tennessee, and I HATED that state and ended up coming home which is Oregon. My family is here and I love it here. In the town that I love there’s a lot a new homes and beautiful homes. Also I feel like talking about finances and credit would be an amazing video/conversation to have because a lot of us lack that education. Bendiciones
Love watching your videos! Just bought my first home. Closed not even a month ago & my first tip is yesss take all the time and research every thing! As me being a first time single women buying. I also went with a new build for the same reasons. Trust me there is already so much to do as a home owner that I can’t even imagine buying an older home. The process is so stressful but so rewarding in the end 🙌 so keep putting in the work! Talk to different lenders, realtors & don’t rush into anything. Don’t get discouraged with the market right now you can never time it. Tbh wish I would have bought sooner. If you are really ready to buy, buying sooner will always be better than later. Good luck & hope you find the perfect home for you now! ❤
The home I recently moved into is about a young 200 years old! Yeah and it’s not so bad because I do love older homes for their charm and character but it does still need some updating on the inside but next spring I’m going to start a rose garden out front and in the backyard but overall I’m just thankful to have a roof over my head and so glad I’m not renting anymore! So more power to Selena, I hope she finds the home of her dreams and one where she can walk in and say yes this is it this is the one!
The home I recently moved into is about a young 200 years old! Yeah and it’s not so bad because I do love older homes for their charm and character but it does still need some updating on the inside but next spring I’m going to start a rose garden out front and in the backyard but overall I’m just thankful to have a roof over my head and so glad I’m not renting anymore! So more power to Selena, I hope she finds the home of her dreams and one where she can walk in and say yes this is it this is the one!
I have two tips.. buy an older home since the structure is much better! My dad works in construction and confirms the quality of homes has gone down drastically in the last 35 years. Definitely get your own house inspector and don't use the one provided, talk to the neighbors, and check online if the home has had bug problems in the past. And, of course, check the sexual offender list in that area.
I bought my first home 2 years ago at 27, I got soooo lucky and bought at the perfect time but I still saw over 20 homes and made 7 offers before I got my house. Hang in there, it happens the way it’s supposed to! 😊❤️
Okay, yay! Thank you for letting me know😭❤️ I usually have a to do list for the day that’s kind of an outline for the day. Like work days are structured since I have to plan around my work day for example, but days where I don’t work, I can def incorporate more chatty/unplanned days in my life ❤️
If you're done with city life & interested in possibly buying in a more rural area, be sure to look into a USDA loan! You can check the address of any property you're interested in to make sure it's in their predetermined area & if so, you do not have to have a down payment & only have to pay closing costs! Bought my first home last year right when interest rates were at an all-time low & paid a little over $4k out of pocket with USDA backing!
Buying a house now!!! Things to be prepared to pay for: Home inspection Escrow Appraisal Closing cost Down payment I lost 4k recently trying to buy a house so be careful! Find a good real estate agent that’s important!
Wow!😮! I don't believe that what you said in this video is all that I think!!!! I wish you success and get the house you want! I'm sending you good vibes🙏🙏🤞
I’m not sure about the tax laws in other areas but in CA it absolutely makes sense to buy if you can from the tax write offs alone. Being able to get money back from taxes by claiming both property tax and mortgage interest really helps so much. So while your mortgage might be much more than rent - you get a lot of that back when you file taxes so it almost really just breaks even. The main thing in terms of risks is obviously job security and then also just being basically responsible for anything that happens with your home. But with all that said, there’s still equity that I think is the biggest perk of home ownership. I’m not someone who is really good at investing nor do I really have much interest in getting into that sort of stuff so for me, our home is literally our investment/retirement/safety net. I just wish I knew about all this in my 20’s! Vs buying our first condo late in our 30s. And it’s also such a fun and exciting chapter in life. So glad you’re looking into buying your own place! And lastly, when we bought our first condo, to help with a down payment to really lower our rate, I pulled out of my 401k. I know there’s pros and cons but my company has a really great program where I was able to take out “loan” from my 401k for a first home purchase… without paying any penalties of fees. I basically just paid myself back to my 401k every paycheck. Basically I was my own lender. Anyway, good luck and excited to see this next journey even if it’s just the beginning stages!
Some of the best tips I learned from my own personal home buying experience; last year, along with all of the information I’ve gained from working in the banking and mortgage lending businesses, would have to be making sure you do NOT buy a house that’s at or close to the max budget the lender/bank gives you, when pre-approved. Also, it helps tremendously to make sure you get a pre-approval letter from your lender before touring any homes you may be interested in, reason being is because this makes the buying process so much smoother, when you do find the home you want to put an offer on. ALWAYS get an inspection, especially if there’s disclaimers. Along with that, something that made my offer more competitive was stating that I would pay $1,000 more than the highest asking price, UP TO my own, personal max budget (not the one the lender gave me because it’s usually always too high and not sustainable). I hope these tips help you on your own personal home buying journey. 😊 I wish you the very best.💕
For the budget reset for this month, I found something out about student loan forgiveness. If you payed during the hold and it brought you under the 10-20k forgiveness, you can get reimbursed for the difference! You just have to call your loan provider and ask about it. I'm getting a little back and putting it towards paying off my private loans ❤️
Hey Selena👋 All the way from South Africa.Ive been watching you channel for the past year and i haven't got the gut to comment. Firstly because i was scared to and i didn't know if you would reply, but im so inspired by your videos and content. To be honest i want to start a RUclips Channel of my own but im afraid i wont get any followers, so im my biggest bully. Secondly the way you speak about being comfortable in your own body and skin has really helped me start my own swim wear business and is doing really good, its actually hand made croshad two pieces and one pieces swim wear, and all thanks to you i got the bravery to even start. just wanna say you are such a star that shines bright for all of us around the world. May god bless you and give you all that your heart and soul desires Love Zoliswa ♥️🇿🇦
Hey girlie New here!!! Enjoyed watching…. I definitely 💯 recommend you buying your own home, renting is throwing away money!!! Buy buy!!! Best investment you’ll ever make!! Good luck girl!!! Ps… house hunting is so fun 🤗
I would recomment buying older house tbh the newly made are usually done cheap and quick but the quality is not there. I live in a bulding that was build 30 years ago and it does not have as many issues as buildings that were build 10 years ago so be careful about new builds. I would also recomment checking the area, the neighbours. Maybe try to spend a week in the area (if possible) to see the vibes and how is the noise situation.
You are absolutely correct about the rent going up smh 😩 here in ATL 2 bedroom is 1,800 but in houses that are for rent are 2,200 smh everything is outrageous! The new construction homes are being made out of cheap materials my family does construction for houses and flooring they told me that it’s all cheap materials smh very disappointing because we work too hard for our money to get a cheap material house that is going for 400k and up 😑
Unfortunately in every area it has skyrocketed bc those are the similar prices we have in FL - which makes no sense because DC always had much higher rents! However we don't have state income tax so you'll save on taxes adding more to your income here (and about 7 other states). Buying a home is always the move but the interest rates are high right now too compared to pre-COVID. I do like your plan on getting ready to purchase. My best tip would be to keep debt low and save, save,save along with looking into first time home buying programs for the state you're moving to.
I would also recomment going to open houses or showings even if you are not yet ready to buy just so you know whats out there and make sure more than someone else checks the house too. More eyes more see but I think you mentioned all of this 😅
I'm hoping to buy within the next 3 years. The market has been so insane and when we looked earlier this year people were asking WAAAAAAAY over what the house was worth, had hidden problems or wanted you to bypass inspections. It's such a huge decision and I'm so picky I get nervous imagining putting that much money into something I don't 100% love. I'm learning to have patience and move at my own pace with even thinking about the process
Yessss! It had been really crazy! But many places are experiencing cool downs now so it’s a lot better for buyers now (despite the higher interest rates) because atleast more offers are getting accepted and prices are coming down! Also I’m struggling with finding balance between living my home and knowing that my first home doesn’t have to be my dream home 😭
I’m a nurse in a hospital in DC and I feel the same way. I’m not sure what I want to do with my career. I feel pressure to know what I want to do next but at the same time I feel okay where I’m at now. Im glad I’m not alone.
Hahha yes that’s why I looked in TX, well also since I have so much fam there and my dad is from there too! But realistically I think TX is probably not the move. 😅
If you buy a new build, make sure to still get a home inspection. My home was built 2019 and was my first home. So happy for you because I wish I had been as savvy in my 20s. Rent was starting to be ridiculous so in my late 40s, decided to take the plunge. It is a stressful process but it is worth it.
I love this video and this video style! It was so realistic to me and I also loved learning about your home researching process. Thank you for being so transparent. You give me so much hope Selena :)
If you move to a different state, your locality pay/GS pay would actually change to match that area’s cost of living so that’s the only thing to keep in mind with govt jobs. The DMV area is the highest paying locality pay in the govt so ppl that have moved out of the DMV took pay cuts.
Yes I know haha luckily Portland pays similarly, and also I’m blessed to have a secondary income with my social media content creation, and thanks to all of you who support and encourage me! I def take that into consideration, but luckily with the secondary income as a buffer and with an emergency fund saved, I’ll be okay! That’s why I said that the right time to buy a house is when you’re financially prepared. I still have to save money for a bigger down payment, set aside money for a separate emergency fund, and separately save for closing costs to be safe! All will be saved before I move or close on a house 😅 I’ve been learning a lot from the comments too!!
The only advice I have regarding buying a house is, just get a condo or town house if you are busy. Taking care the inside is already a lot. With back yard and front yard, there’s more money to be spent and more time needed to take care.
when selena said "time to WINE down🍷 " I felt that😭 I also started the process of home buying this past 2 months. I've done Homestretch. its a program for 1st time homebuyers and it can help qualify you for 1st time homeowners grants/programs. at least here in MN. The process had been scary, stressful but exciting! I'm so happy you made this video. I'm hunting down the comments for helpful tips myself 💕
When you find the right place go through a local bank for your mortgage or at least make sure you have a local person at the big bank you can speak to about your mortgage. The big banks may have better rates but they don't know all of the laws in your state and it can really mess things up.
I'm also looking into buying a house and have heard from multiple contractors, home owners and a realtor to absolutely not buy houses built in the last 5 years. Apparently the quality of construction materials has become very inconsistent and bad due to the pandemic and other things. I was advised to stay away from all new construction, because things will need to be fixed and replaced way sooner than should be expected.
Yeah I’ve honestly heard that since before COVID, but I think it def depends on the builders themselves. Plus if they guarantee the e good warranties; and have HOAs that cover some of the maintenance, I think that’s important to take into account too 😭 but yes overall that’s something to always consider!
Congratulations on such a big decision. After buying, and selling two properties, and about to list a third my biggest advice would be to compromise but not too much. Be clear on your must-haves and non-negotiables. Good luck and Godspeed!
Paula Pant of the Afford Anything podcast just did an ep about investing in a different city than the one you live in. There were good tips about researching areas of town!
I thought Oregon was expensive for rent…it’s crazy $3000 for 1 bedroom!! I know a ton of real estate friends in Southern Oregon. I can’t remember where you said you used to live.
I totally agree with you on the rental prices! I live in California and wanted to purchase something at the end of this year but I’m trying to wait another year until the market gets better since I just renewed my lease. I live in apartment that is the same size as yours and I dread paying the rent every month LOL I just want to start paying myself instead of the rental company.
I bought a house in 2020. Make sure you get preapproved before you start looking and get a realtor that you feel good about/is looking out for you. My real estate agent was amazing and helped me out so much bc I didn’t know what I was doing. Also STALK Zillow - houses are going quick and that’s the only reason I got mine!
Hi Selena! So excited to watch this video on my lunch break. I’m currently going back and fourth debating on if I want to rent or save for a down payment on a house as well.
So glad you were able to make the premiere today! I feel you on that, I am saving up either way, but its a HUGE decision to make. Especially if youre like me and youre considering moving to another state 😅❤
Hey!! Selena you are such a inspiration for me and I really love your vlogs so so much you inspired me so so much and I wish you reach 60K Subscribers very very soon!💞☺️✨
It's so nice watching your videos to see you navigate life. In shopping for a house, it's tough now with the interest rates so high but the good thing about that is that prices on homes are coming down. A few years back, I actually was able to "buy" a rate that was 1% lower than market. It was a little over $1k. I have no idea how it works but ask about it. Also, think about the properties around the house. Is that empty lot behind it or near it going to be a shopping center some day? How far is an airport, train track, freeway etc. Also, do a crime check for the area. It will tell you if there were any break-ins, car thefts etc. When I bought my house it showed that a sex offender lived a few houses down. They're required to register once convicted. Luckily he was renting & was just moving out as we were buying the house. But you never know. You don't want to move into a neighborhood that constantly has visits from the cops. Good luck!
Oh yes! Thank you for Sharing. I’ve heard real estate agents say “buy down your rate” but I’m not 100% sure how that’s different from just paying a down payment so I’ll def look into it! Thank you 🫶🏽
Hey Selena! I think what you are currently doing is great and you are very lucky to have very supportive parents. I just bought a house in Oregon. For me it took a while because I really wanted a house in my hometown… which it’s a very touristy area and the prices are crazy! I would say if possible (you or your parents) start building a relationship with all the realtors you see as y’all are doing some house tours. Try getting to know the realtor, even if the house y’all are looking at is a definite no. To me, that’s what help me out the most especially when in this market people get out bid easily (I got out bid 3 times by people who offered cash, but I finally have my dream home near family). Buena suerte!!!
Hi Selena, I live in the DMV area as well in Anne Arundel County, MD in a two-bedroom, two-full bath 1100 sq. ft. apartment for $1800, and I’m only 15 minutes from DC. I can also get to Annapolis in 10 minutes and to Baltimore in 15 minutes. The mortgages here are fairly reasonable. I can definitely pay less in mortgage for more square footage than I do now in rent. You may want to consider moving just a little further out from DC.
hi selena! i love watching your videos, they really help me relax and calm down. i don’t know if you speak spanish (i am so sorry this is so embarrassing if not), but i was wondering if you’d ever consider doing a vlog in spanish?? thank you and have a great day!!
Yes I do! And I have thought about it but idk how it would do hahaha maybe I’ll try doing like a RUclips short in Spanish or Instagram reel and see how that goes 😭😂
I live in Oregon and depending on the city where you live it can be a lot too!! It's crazy coz when we moved to Oregon our one bedroom was $980 and now it's $1,300. Like WHAT THECK! Ugh! I
Hahaha yes I know prices are def growing there too! But they’re still not as high as the DC area. Which is why now would be q good time to move back before prices are equally as high 😭
I saw a TikTok (not the most reliable source 😂) and he works in construction and he said avoid buying new homes bc they are using the cheapest material possible bc of the recession idk if that’s true but seems likely 😢 Regardless, you’ll find something reasonable and I wish the best. You should be so proud of yourself. Having financial stability, living on your own, looking at owning property 😮 Highest of High Fives 😊
Hi Selena, I understand about the realtor/home buyer relationship. Where do you think you'd like to move to? I think some, if not all, of your subscribers, can hook you up with a great and honest realtor. It just depends on where you would like to move to. Your contents are excellent. Keep going and your goal of 100k subscribers will come true.
be cognizant of Texas. prices may be lower, however, there are significant property taxes factored in monthly. for example, a friend of mine has a mortgage of 1300 a month, however, the taxes are another 1100 monthly, with that said, he pays $2400 every month. Also: dont treat the first home buying process as your forever home :) . instead, Enjoy every turn of this journey !!!
Yes 100% i did research on the property tax rates of different states! Definitely keeping that in mind. Along with job market potential, demographics, year round weather, and more! That’s why I’m leaning towards the PNW since I know it and feel most comfortable moving back there - plus that’s where my fam is 😅 but also I’m open to exploring other cities that might also fit my needs in ways I didn’t even know I needed! So who knows haha either way, I’ll be saving up!
cash is key!!! make sure your tax returns are "attractive" for lenders, I got denied twice due to my tax returns not being up to par meaning I wrote "too much" off! Lenders did not take me seriously because of this and had to buy my property in cash which I was prepared to do. Be ready to be denied 1-3 times before finally securing a property. People nowadays are buying way over asking but if you buy during this time when it's the holidays the market slows down and properties stay on the market longer. Buying cash allowed me to buy under $190K. It's also a property that is going to double in price next year. DON'T SKIP YOUR SURVEY OR INSPECTION!!!! Always get this and FIGHT BACK HARD if there are a lot of defects with the house, even NEW builds have defects. you can easily bring the total price down $5K-$10K!!
My only advice to buying a home is to get a fixed mortgage rate not an adjustable. Basically if you can’t afford a home on a fixed rate you can’t afford the home. I have had too many of my friends lose their shirts because they thought the fixed rate would eventually be low enough for them to jump in while their ARM kept rising, forcing them to sell and lose a ton of money. So be conservative in your loan and never trust a loan officer who pressures you into a loan you don’t feel is right for you. You got feet, walk away.
Love your content! You should consider NACA the program is great for first time homebuyers and I recently purchased my first home beginning of this year for $2,500 out of pocket and an interest rate of 2.25% !!! It is a serious process but so worth it!
@@SelenaTrevino nope there is no income limits. Just a steady income for the last 2 years. We did get a “higher” rate because we made more than the median income but it was still a steal!
Hi! New subscriber here! I’m obsessed with your videos and love your energy ❤ Thanks for sharing your life with us! Also, not to be offensive or anything but how come you don’t move in with your boyfriend to save on rent? Is that not a viable option right now?
I'm 26 as well, and started my own business at 25 so I'm aware that entrepreneurs trying to get a home is harder because you don't have a set salary. So that's currently the only tidbit I can express.
Go you for starting your own business and believing in yourself 🫶🏽 yessss I’ve heard that! I’m only going to get approved based off of my income as a federal employee
Thank you! I'm truly the happiest I've ever been but it can have its disadvantages as mentioned. But yes, the process should be easier for you based on your salary. The extra income coming from your content should help like you said in your video. 🤍
hey friends ⛅️ comment below if you have any advice for someone trying to buy their first home in their 20s! 🏠 Are you in the process of saving up a down payment or touring homes yourself?
Check your area (the city, any city development authorities, etc.) to see if there are down payment assistance programs. There often are for full-time home buyers who earn less than a certain amount every year.
We are currently in this process !! Don’t have any groundbreaking tips other than every little bit really does count 💸 It seems so huge, but chipping away at it makes it more doable 🤎
I bought a townhome in December 2020 it’s seems so much scarier than it is. But once you do it you’ll wonder what took you so long.
like the chatty vlogs ❤
@@rachelstanley2045 THIS SAVED US! We didn't have to have a downpayment because of a first-time homebuyer's program.
I am not sure if this is 100% true, but people have been saying not to buy a newly constructed home at this time because the materials being used are very cheap. I would try to look into that cause same things are happening with cars this year as well.
I can totally see that. It reminds me of furniture. For example I buy my furniture second hand via Facebook market, Craigslist, Nextdoor app, thrift stores. Because these places sale solid wood furniture. And if your thinking of having kids it’s great because it will not tip over which the cheap furniture would, when babies start to climb on things.
And all I would have to do with the solid wood furniture is to sand it down and paint.
So if these new houses are being built on cheap materials, it can be seen in the furniture market as well. Such as “recycled”
Yes, older houses would need the cost of maintenance however this is our opportunity to pick and choose the quality that goes into it.
Kind regards,
Denise
I have a few family members who work in architecture and construction and they’ve said similar things and to be cautious about homes built between 2020 and 2022. Obviously every builder is different, but I’d definitely take some extra time to research new builds and pay attention to inspections.
I totally agree
Yep. Bought a new build this year and regret it. It's just cheap, and we've had several issues due to it. Hopefully new build quality gets better in coming years.
I've heard that a lot aswell
It’s so insightful to see your home buying journey riiight from the beginning, I’m learning so much already and I love seeing your thought process 🥹
Omg thank you Jenna 🤎 I’m excited to share it! I’m def learning every day
Congrats on buying a house - it’s such a huge step! I have purchased 2 investment properties in the last two years & was a real estate agent for a year - so I’ve been through it lol
My biggest piece of advice is be patient and don’t settle! There will ALWAYS be other homes on the market and other deals. Even if you go under contract on a home, if the inspection brings up items that you are uncomfortable with and the seller is unwilling to fix them, walk away while you can. It can be tough because it’s an emotional process but it’s worth. Also, I always remind myself that you date the interest rate and you marry the house. Interest rates will always fluctuate and you can refinance when it makes sense. Another thing I’ve learned to do is make a list of non-negotiable items that I’m looking for BEFORE I really get into the process. That way I have something that keeps me grounded through out the journey. Trust me it’s easy to start bending what you actually want when you start to see what’s on the market.
Yess this is so good! One of the things I’m struggling with is finding the right balance between finding a home I love and also staying realistic that there are some things that will need to budge to stay in my budget. It’s hard, also remembering that my first home doesn’t have to be my dream home ❤️😭
@@SelenaTrevino Totally! I mean the reality is even a new construction home is still handmade, so there are still imperfections. My first home I purchased was newly renovated and like $5000 over my budget and the second house is a cute 100 year old home with character (aka imperfections lol) but under my budget. And I love both for different reasons. You pick what’s most important to you right now because no matter what, you’re going to be SO proud when you are signing your papers at closing.
we love a chatty vlog !!
Yay that makes me so happy 🥰
I would like to think I speak for us all when i say, WE love you sweetie! You are so responsible in your 20s and yes continue these vlogs of chatting about your life decisions. Also, i'm extremely proud for your first time home purchase process. I've always lived in apartments, but i'm sure 1 of your subs will tell you of their journey. Best of luck to you🥰 I truly love your spirit beautiful Selena
Thank you Loria! Love you guys so much; y’all are truly so supportive that I feel so safe and so blessed ❤️😭
@@SelenaTrevino 💕
One thing to remember is that though some old houses may require more maintenance, but new builds too. There's still problems such as settling and you could see cracks etc. Previously owned homes also have home warranty for purchase. My boyfriend purchased a home during the pandemic and we've had the AC break, washer/dryer break, but home warranty helped with the costs! Wishing you the best :)
Hey Selena! Love the vlog. As I finish up the semester for grad school, you’re my comfort RUclipsr that helps my stress😂 as always love your openness and vulnerability. I haven’t bought a house however my cousins all just went through this with their spouses or even on their own. Both of them said a major thing is (as hard as this is) don’t fall in love fully with a house until you have the key in your hand. Even far into the process you may think it’s yours but the market is so crazy you never know. My dad is an attorney and also always says to not skip/trade any inspections or contingencies - it’s tempting if you find the house of your dreams, but your dreams are ruined when you find thousands of dollars worth of upgrades and damages needed 😅 LOL. I am so excited for you, good luck ❤
I hope you find your dream/affordable home soon 🎉❤
thank you Rachel 🥹❤️
Yayyy! The home buying process is so exciting to embark on! We decided to buy for the same reasons as you! Rent increased way too much & we needed more space and a yard for our puppers! 🐶
Our home was the best purchase we’ve ever made! It took a lot of financial discipline but it’s so worth it! We went with a new build (so we were able to put our own special touches into everything) highly recommend! 👌🏾
your voice is so calming, that I can read while listening to your videos without being distracted!! 🤎
We started seeing homes for market research in May and closed on our home in October 😂 when you fall in love with a house you feel so inclined to submit an offer to see what happens . I hope you find the perfect home for you Selena
I love watching your videos as I look up research for my Ph.D. dissertation!! I feel so motivated ❤🎀 hope you have an amazing week girl! xo
Wow Selena that is so exciting about your future house! I have enjoyed following Kalyn Nicholson through the process of buying her dream home in the countryside, I'm excited to see where this leads you! 😊
Oooh I need to follow her asap 🤪
I just bought my first home at 20 and it was a new construction. I checked out a couple new construction neighborhood and many of them were so cheap. I finally found a neighborhood that had new homes that seemed nice yet affordable for me. Take family and trusted people with you because realtors will do their best to ring your into it. Ask questions and don’t be afraid to tell them when you have issues or concerns. It’s been 6 months or living in my new home and I absolutely love it. I was able to put 20% down which helps with no PMI costs and I did it over a 15 year plan rather than 30. 30 year plans with interest will have you paying double what the home is worth. It will be hard at first but so worth it in the end and so fun watching your monthly mortgage go down. Be firm in what you want and don’t waiver. This is your first home so make it worth the wait and be patient as well. It will all work out. Also I just came across your video on my home page and I am definitely subscribing!!!
Omg Selena that movie is so beautiful and heart wrenching. I'm so happy you're parents are helping you out during your home buying journey because it get so overwhelming at times.
Loved your chatty vlog! I just purchased a new construction home over the summer for a fair price. All the reasons you listed were the same reasons a new construction was so attractive to me. Some words of caution: besides your down payment and closing costs, i added $50k in upgrades (this is my forever home, I was ok spending on the upgrades) and still spent another $37k to get the house move in ready (half of that was in landscaping and the rest was in furniture). There is a lot more I want to do but don’t want to get in debt to do it. I underestimated these additional costs. If you consider new build, just keep these extra expenses in mind. I don’t regret it. Looking forward to seeing your home buying journey!
Oh wow! First of all, CONGRATS!!❤️ second, thanks so much for sharing! I will take all the advice I can get. And honestly I want to save all the money I can before h move forward with this HUGE life changing decision haha
I bought my first home almost 9 years ago, just before I turned 30. Bumps in the road prevented me from doing it earlier. My suggestions are to have as much saved for a down payment as you possibly can AND plan to pay more than your minimum mortgage payment to get that paid off sooner. Also, have a list of "must-haves" and a list of "would be great to have"...this will help in narrowing your search and picking the one that is best for you. I would also try to decide if this will be a starter home with the intention of moving within 5 or 10 years. I was already married with two kids, so we decided this home is going to be the one until the kids move out and get settled on their own. Good luck and I can't wait to see where life takes you. Keep rocking it!
Thank you, this is amazing advice! This would def be more of a starter home for me that I’d move out of or maybe rent in the future, or sell to buy my dream home later. Who knows 😅
How exciting Selena!!! We are FINALLY going to start looking this coming January and I am BEYOND excited. We have been living with my in laws for the past 3 years! There are 10 people in this house so I can't wait to be able to get my kids their own space and get to decorate the way they want to. 🤗🤗
Pay attention to foundation, plumbing, and age of hvac. The underlying structure is more crucial then cosmetics. Plenty people throw in new floor and counters,,/cabinets to look pretty but it can easily have structural issues underneath.
Look in San Antonio! So many newly built homes under 300k! We bought a 2019 house with paid off solar and both the house and solar still have almost 20 year warranty left! This house was move in ready, haven’t done any maintenance since moving in. Just planting! Love the culture and food here! Close to Austin. Hope this helps :)
Don’t buy a new build. Everyone I know that did had major issues. Get a home inspection. Make sure it includes the HVaC, roof, etc. You can purchase a warranty to cover things, but as the wife of an HVaC guy, some aren’t worth it due to their payouts to the service companies (there aren’t companies willing to take the little they offer for the jobs). Get a home that needs updating, you can get it cheaper and make it yours. Termite inspection is huge. Radon testing. Also foundation inspection. Bought 2 homes and looking for income properties now.
I love a chatty vlog! Especially when it’s over a subject that can 100% help others! My husband and I built our home about 7 years ago but before we deducted to build we also considered buying an already built home. We ended up going with building simply because we could choose what we wanted and not have to compromise because we couldn’t find what we wanted. We also worked with a real estate agent whom was recommended by a friend which was helpful in knowing how she was from a reliable source and she was extremely helpful in helping us decide whether to build or not. She also in veiled words helped us know what builder to go with and who to avoid which was also nice! I do know it is possible if you purchase an already built to negotiate having some things fixed before settling such as having the roof replaced or foundation issues fixed; as well as you could have someone come and assess the house to see what issues there might be before you make an offer. Having the benefit of a warranty was wonderful however be careful because some don’t cover all appliances or in our case our hvac system was a separate warranty from the house that we had to call and activate. Take your time and make sure you happy with what you chose to do cuz above all else this is an investment for you! I’m excited to see your journey with home buying!
Wow thank you so much for sharing your home buying experience and wisdom, I know I speak for many of us here when I say I APPRECIATE YOU SM 🫶🏽😭
So exciting!! My biggest piece of advice is to talk to difference lenders you would want to use. I didn’t think we could buy a house (my husband had no credit basically, zero down payment). We used Cornerstone (I don’t know if they’re local-ish or not?) and they built credit for him, had a problem that paid most of our closing cost and gave us the 3% to put down (the interest rate was slightly higher than the regular mortgage, but still ended up being much cheaper than renting). So we went from not being able to buy to buying within a few months! Realtors didn’t give me great advice and neither did the internet, but the lender was helpful.
Selena your calm productivity motivates me to work on my goals. Thanks for sharing your d🙌aily life with us. 🌺 Also conrags on buying a house. We've recently bought one and it was the best decision.🙌
Yay that makes me so happy, congratulations!!🫶🏽
Hi Selena! I totally feel you on the rental prices in the DC area right now. My husband and I pay $1500 for a one-bedroom just outside of DC. I moved into this apartment 3 years ago and it was fine back then but as the rent has gone up each year and I've gotten married, I'm just ready for something bigger and I'm less and less able to justify paying so much for an apartment when I can put it towards my own house. We're planning to start looking for a house next year so I'm very excited to hear about your experience and what you learn along the way 😊
SELENA YESSSS COME BACK TO OREGON 🌲. I left Oregon when I was younger and moved to Tennessee, and I HATED that state and ended up coming home which is Oregon. My family is here and I love it here. In the town that I love there’s a lot a new homes and beautiful homes.
Also I feel like talking about finances and credit would be an amazing video/conversation to have because a lot of us lack that education.
Bendiciones
Love watching your videos! Just bought my first home. Closed not even a month ago & my first tip is yesss take all the time and research every thing! As me being a first time single women buying. I also went with a new build for the same reasons. Trust me there is already so much to do as a home owner that I can’t even imagine buying an older home. The process is so stressful but so rewarding in the end 🙌 so keep putting in the work! Talk to different lenders, realtors & don’t rush into anything. Don’t get discouraged with the market right now you can never time it. Tbh wish I would have bought sooner. If you are really ready to buy, buying sooner will always be better than later. Good luck & hope you find the perfect home for you now! ❤
The home I recently moved into is about a young 200 years old! Yeah and it’s not so bad because I do love older homes for their charm and character but it does still need some updating on the inside but next spring I’m going to start a rose garden out front and in the backyard but overall I’m just thankful to have a roof over my head and so glad I’m not renting anymore! So more power to Selena, I hope she finds the home of her dreams and one where she can walk in and say yes this is it this is the one!
The home I recently moved into is about a young 200 years old! Yeah and it’s not so bad because I do love older homes for their charm and character but it does still need some updating on the inside but next spring I’m going to start a rose garden out front and in the backyard but overall I’m just thankful to have a roof over my head and so glad I’m not renting anymore! So more power to Selena, I hope she finds the home of her dreams and one where she can walk in and say yes this is it this is the one!
I have two tips.. buy an older home since the structure is much better! My dad works in construction and confirms the quality of homes has gone down drastically in the last 35 years. Definitely get your own house inspector and don't use the one provided, talk to the neighbors, and check online if the home has had bug problems in the past. And, of course, check the sexual offender list in that area.
I bought my first home 2 years ago at 27, I got soooo lucky and bought at the perfect time but I still saw over 20 homes and made 7 offers before I got my house. Hang in there, it happens the way it’s supposed to! 😊❤️
We love chatty vlogs!!
I loved this vlog! I actually really enjoy when you talk candidly and "off-script" so to speak :)
Okay, yay! Thank you for letting me know😭❤️ I usually have a to do list for the day that’s kind of an outline for the day. Like work days are structured since I have to plan around my work day for example, but days where I don’t work, I can def incorporate more chatty/unplanned days in my life ❤️
If you're done with city life & interested in possibly buying in a more rural area, be sure to look into a USDA loan! You can check the address of any property you're interested in to make sure it's in their predetermined area & if so, you do not have to have a down payment & only have to pay closing costs! Bought my first home last year right when interest rates were at an all-time low & paid a little over $4k out of pocket with USDA backing!
Buying a house now!!!
Things to be prepared to pay for:
Home inspection
Escrow
Appraisal
Closing cost
Down payment
I lost 4k recently trying to buy a house so be careful! Find a good real estate agent that’s important!
$4k!? Yeah the housing market is so volatile, I guess that does makes sense 😭😭 I have so much to learn
Wow!😮! I don't believe that what you said in this video is all that I think!!!!
I wish you success and get the house you want! I'm sending you good vibes🙏🙏🤞
I’m not sure about the tax laws in other areas but in CA it absolutely makes sense to buy if you can from the tax write offs alone. Being able to get money back from taxes by claiming both property tax and mortgage interest really helps so much. So while your mortgage might be much more than rent - you get a lot of that back when you file taxes so it almost really just breaks even.
The main thing in terms of risks is obviously job security and then also just being basically responsible for anything that happens with your home.
But with all that said, there’s still equity that I think is the biggest perk of home ownership. I’m not someone who is really good at investing nor do I really have much interest in getting into that sort of stuff so for me, our home is literally our investment/retirement/safety net.
I just wish I knew about all this in my 20’s! Vs buying our first condo late in our 30s.
And it’s also such a fun and exciting chapter in life. So glad you’re looking into buying your own place!
And lastly, when we bought our first condo, to help with a down payment to really lower our rate, I pulled out of my 401k. I know there’s pros and cons but my company has a really great program where I was able to take out “loan” from my 401k for a first home purchase… without paying any penalties of fees. I basically just paid myself back to my 401k every paycheck. Basically I was my own lender.
Anyway, good luck and excited to see this next journey even if it’s just the beginning stages!
Some of the best tips I learned from my own personal home buying experience; last year, along with all of the information I’ve gained from working in the banking and mortgage lending businesses, would have to be making sure you do NOT buy a house that’s at or close to the max budget the lender/bank gives you, when pre-approved.
Also, it helps tremendously to make sure you get a pre-approval letter from your lender before touring any homes you may be interested in, reason being is because this makes the buying process so much smoother, when you do find the home you want to put an offer on.
ALWAYS get an inspection, especially if there’s disclaimers. Along with that, something that made my offer more competitive was stating that I would pay $1,000 more than the highest asking price, UP TO my own, personal max budget (not the one the lender gave me because it’s usually always too high and not sustainable).
I hope these tips help you on your own personal home buying journey. 😊 I wish you the very best.💕
For the budget reset for this month, I found something out about student loan forgiveness. If you payed during the hold and it brought you under the 10-20k forgiveness, you can get reimbursed for the difference! You just have to call your loan provider and ask about it. I'm getting a little back and putting it towards paying off my private loans ❤️
Oh yes!! That’s amazing 🤍 love that for you!! Thanks for sharing!
Hey Selena👋
All the way from South Africa.Ive been watching you channel for the past year and i haven't got the gut to comment.
Firstly because i was scared to and i didn't know if you would reply, but im so inspired by your videos and content. To be honest i want to start a RUclips Channel of my own but im afraid i wont get any followers, so im my biggest bully.
Secondly the way you speak about being comfortable in your own body and skin has really helped me start my own swim wear business and is doing really good, its actually hand made croshad two pieces and one pieces swim wear, and all thanks to you i got the bravery to even start.
just wanna say you are such a star that shines bright for all of us around the world. May god bless you and give you all that your heart and soul desires
Love Zoliswa ♥️🇿🇦
Hey girlie New here!!! Enjoyed watching…. I definitely 💯 recommend you buying your own home, renting is throwing away money!!! Buy buy!!! Best investment you’ll ever make!! Good luck girl!!! Ps… house hunting is so fun 🤗
I would recomment buying older house tbh the newly made are usually done cheap and quick but the quality is not there. I live in a bulding that was build 30 years ago and it does not have as many issues as buildings that were build 10 years ago so be careful about new builds. I would also recomment checking the area, the neighbours. Maybe try to spend a week in the area (if possible) to see the vibes and how is the noise situation.
You are absolutely correct about the rent going up smh 😩 here in ATL 2 bedroom is 1,800 but in houses that are for rent are 2,200 smh everything is outrageous! The new construction homes are being made out of cheap materials my family does construction for houses and flooring they told me that it’s all cheap materials smh very disappointing because we work too hard for our money to get a cheap material house that is going for 400k and up 😑
Unfortunately in every area it has skyrocketed bc those are the similar prices we have in FL - which makes no sense because DC always had much higher rents! However we don't have state income tax so you'll save on taxes adding more to your income here (and about 7 other states). Buying a home is always the move but the interest rates are high right now too compared to pre-COVID. I do like your plan on getting ready to purchase. My best tip would be to keep debt low and save, save,save along with looking into first time home buying programs for the state you're moving to.
You’re so underrated , aesthetic queen
Omg thank you Adrienne 😭❤️
I would also recomment going to open houses or showings even if you are not yet ready to buy just so you know whats out there and make sure more than someone else checks the house too. More eyes more see but I think you mentioned all of this 😅
I love Under the Same Moon! I saw it in my high school Spanish class and it's been a favorite ever since.
SO GOOD 🤍
I'm hoping to buy within the next 3 years. The market has been so insane and when we looked earlier this year people were asking WAAAAAAAY over what the house was worth, had hidden problems or wanted you to bypass inspections. It's such a huge decision and I'm so picky I get nervous imagining putting that much money into something I don't 100% love. I'm learning to have patience and move at my own pace with even thinking about the process
Yessss! It had been really crazy! But many places are experiencing cool downs now so it’s a lot better for buyers now (despite the higher interest rates) because atleast more offers are getting accepted and prices are coming down! Also I’m struggling with finding balance between living my home and knowing that my first home doesn’t have to be my dream home 😭
I’m a nurse in a hospital in DC and I feel the same way. I’m not sure what I want to do with my career. I feel pressure to know what I want to do next but at the same time I feel okay where I’m at now. Im glad I’m not alone.
Yessss!! It’s so true that so many of us in DC are lost in our 20s 😭😭
I don’t know if I would ever move to Texas, but have you seen those Reels or TikTok’s of what $399k can buy you there!? It’s like a mansion 😂
Hahha yes that’s why I looked in TX, well also since I have so much fam there and my dad is from there too! But realistically I think TX is probably not the move. 😅
If you buy a new build, make sure to still get a home inspection. My home was built 2019 and was my first home. So happy for you because I wish I had been as savvy in my 20s. Rent was starting to be ridiculous so in my late 40s, decided to take the plunge. It is a stressful process but it is worth it.
1000%! If I get accepted on any house I’ll be doing a home inspection regardless 🫶🏽
More cafe videossss pleaseee 🤗🤗
Latina in da house!! Love so much the smell of Fabuloso cleaner ✨✨
Me too 😍
I love this video and this video style! It was so realistic to me and I also loved learning about your home researching process. Thank you for being so transparent. You give me so much hope Selena :)
Oh yay! I’m so glad you liked it! I wasn’t sure if y’all would haha 🤪 aww that makes me so happy 🤍
Your videos are so calmingg 🧘🏾♀️
yay! 😭❤️
Good morning Selena happy Tuesday morning and I hope you having amazing day today and I loved your vlogs and you are amazing Supporter
Thank you Edward 🤍
@@SelenaTrevino of course sending you hugs ❤️ 🤗
If you move to a different state, your locality pay/GS pay would actually change to match that area’s cost of living so that’s the only thing to keep in mind with govt jobs. The DMV area is the highest paying locality pay in the govt so ppl that have moved out of the DMV took pay cuts.
Yes I know haha luckily Portland pays similarly, and also I’m blessed to have a secondary income with my social media content creation, and thanks to all of you who support and encourage me! I def take that into consideration, but luckily with the secondary income as a buffer and with an emergency fund saved, I’ll be okay! That’s why I said that the right time to buy a house is when you’re financially prepared.
I still have to save money for a bigger down payment, set aside money for a separate emergency fund, and separately save for closing costs to be safe! All will be saved before I move or close on a house 😅 I’ve been learning a lot from the comments too!!
The only advice I have regarding buying a house is, just get a condo or town house if you are busy. Taking care the inside is already a lot. With back yard and front yard, there’s more money to be spent and more time needed to take care.
YESS!! I’ve been coming to this same conclusion, I’m so glad you mentioned this ❤️
LOVE LOVE LOVE DAY IN MY LIFE VLOGS! Hey Selena, will you be doing vlogmas this year? 😁 Love from Singapore!
La Misma Luna is one of my favorite movies! My high school Spanish teacher put me on.
Yesss it’s so good 😭😭 I always cry lol
Can’t wait to see the home vlogs!!!
Selena, I may not know you personally but I'm proud of you. You are a strong, independent and beautiful woman. Lots of love from Greece 🤍
when selena said "time to WINE down🍷 " I felt that😭
I also started the process of home buying this past 2 months. I've done Homestretch. its a program for 1st time homebuyers and it can help qualify you for 1st time homeowners grants/programs. at least here in MN. The process had been scary, stressful but exciting! I'm so happy you made this video. I'm hunting down the comments for helpful tips myself 💕
HAHAHHA yesss 🍷
Omg yay! So exciting🤍 honestly there have been some gems of advice in the comments section! Our lil community is the BEST!!
When you find the right place go through a local bank for your mortgage or at least make sure you have a local person at the big bank you can speak to about your mortgage. The big banks may have better rates but they don't know all of the laws in your state and it can really mess things up.
I'm also looking into buying a house and have heard from multiple contractors, home owners and a realtor to absolutely not buy houses built in the last 5 years. Apparently the quality of construction materials has become very inconsistent and bad due to the pandemic and other things. I was advised to stay away from all new construction, because things will need to be fixed and replaced way sooner than should be expected.
Yeah I’ve honestly heard that since before COVID, but I think it def depends on the builders themselves. Plus if they guarantee the e good warranties; and have HOAs that cover some of the maintenance, I think that’s important to take into account too 😭 but yes overall that’s something to always consider!
That's for sharing your house buying journey so far! I'm excited to see where you go!
Congratulations on such a big decision. After buying, and selling two properties, and about to list a third my biggest advice would be to compromise but not too much. Be clear on your must-haves and non-negotiables. Good luck and Godspeed!
Oooh yes! I need to make a clear list! Thank you ❤️
❤loved this vlog. It is inspiring to see you grow. Congrats
Paula Pant of the Afford Anything podcast just did an ep about investing in a different city than the one you live in. There were good tips about researching areas of town!
Oooh yay! Thank you for the Rec 🤍
Gyped is a term used to discriminate against the Roma people. Just wanted to let you know
Omg no way!? I had no idea… I will not be saying that anymore 😭😭😭 thank you for letting me know!!
I thought Oregon was expensive for rent…it’s crazy $3000 for 1 bedroom!! I know a ton of real estate friends in Southern Oregon. I can’t remember where you said you used to live.
I was in the same boat as you, but in Seattle area. Homes are crazy expensive!! Fingers-crossed you find your home! Also, Oregon is soooo gorgeous!
Ugh yes seattle is so expensive! And Portland area is also crazy now 😭😭
I totally agree with you on the rental prices! I live in California and wanted to purchase something at the end of this year but I’m trying to wait another year until the market gets better since I just renewed my lease. I live in apartment that is the same size as yours and I dread paying the rent every month LOL I just want to start paying myself instead of the rental company.
Came here from Jenna’s vlog.. enjoyed yours too! Subscribed! 😊
Omg welcome!! I love Jenna 😭❤️
Was waiting on the premiere, and now it's live. Watching while I eat lunch : )
I bought a house in 2020. Make sure you get preapproved before you start looking and get a realtor that you feel good about/is looking out for you. My real estate agent was amazing and helped me out so much bc I didn’t know what I was doing. Also STALK Zillow - houses are going quick and that’s the only reason I got mine!
Hi Selena! So excited to watch this video on my lunch break. I’m currently going back and fourth debating on if I want to rent or save for a down payment on a house as well.
So glad you were able to make the premiere today! I feel you on that, I am saving up either way, but its a HUGE decision to make. Especially if youre like me and youre considering moving to another state 😅❤
Hey!! Selena you are such a inspiration for me and I really love your vlogs so so much you inspired me so so much and I wish you reach 60K Subscribers very very soon!💞☺️✨
Thank you so much, Mansoor ❤
It's so nice watching your videos to see you navigate life. In shopping for a house, it's tough now with the interest rates so high but the good thing about that is that prices on homes are coming down. A few years back, I actually was able to "buy" a rate that was 1% lower than market. It was a little over $1k. I have no idea how it works but ask about it. Also, think about the properties around the house. Is that empty lot behind it or near it going to be a shopping center some day? How far is an airport, train track, freeway etc. Also, do a crime check for the area. It will tell you if there were any break-ins, car thefts etc. When I bought my house it showed that a sex offender lived a few houses down. They're required to register once convicted. Luckily he was renting & was just moving out as we were buying the house. But you never know. You don't want to move into a neighborhood that constantly has visits from the cops. Good luck!
Oh yes! Thank you for Sharing. I’ve heard real estate agents say “buy down your rate” but I’m not 100% sure how that’s different from just paying a down payment so I’ll def look into it! Thank you 🫶🏽
Rushed in to watch premier during work LOL
You are too sweet❤
Hey Selena! I think what you are currently doing is great and you are very lucky to have very supportive parents. I just bought a house in Oregon. For me it took a while because I really wanted a house in my hometown… which it’s a very touristy area and the prices are crazy! I would say if possible (you or your parents) start building a relationship with all the realtors you see as y’all are doing some house tours. Try getting to know the realtor, even if the house y’all are looking at is a definite no. To me, that’s what help me out the most especially when in this market people get out bid easily (I got out bid 3 times by people who offered cash, but I finally have my dream home near family). Buena suerte!!!
Hi Selena, I live in the DMV area as well in Anne Arundel County, MD in a two-bedroom, two-full bath 1100 sq. ft. apartment for $1800, and I’m only 15 minutes from DC. I can also get to Annapolis in 10 minutes and to Baltimore in 15 minutes. The mortgages here are fairly reasonable. I can definitely pay less in mortgage for more square footage than I do now in rent. You may want to consider moving just a little further out from DC.
Oh I’ve def considered it! But I def would consider VA > MD and unfortunately VA tends to also be more expensive😭
hi selena! i love watching your videos, they really help me relax and calm down. i don’t know if you speak spanish (i am so sorry this is so embarrassing if not), but i was wondering if you’d ever consider doing a vlog in spanish?? thank you and have a great day!!
Yes I do! And I have thought about it but idk how it would do hahaha maybe I’ll try doing like a RUclips short in Spanish or Instagram reel and see how that goes 😭😂
I live in Oregon and depending on the city where you live it can be a lot too!! It's crazy coz when we moved to Oregon our one bedroom was $980 and now it's $1,300. Like WHAT THECK! Ugh! I
Hahaha yes I know prices are def growing there too! But they’re still not as high as the DC area. Which is why now would be q good time to move back before prices are equally as high 😭
@@SelenaTrevino YES MOVE BACK! PNW IS BEAUTIFUL
love love these videos selena!
makes me so happy 🤍😭
I def enjoy watching your content!
That makes me so happy 😭🤍
Good luck in looking for your new home
Thank you Jackie 🤍
Nice video vlog good 👍🏻👍🏻💯💯💯💯💕💕💕🤔🤔
I saw a TikTok (not the most reliable source 😂) and he works in construction and he said avoid buying new homes bc they are using the cheapest material possible bc of the recession idk if that’s true but seems likely 😢 Regardless, you’ll find something reasonable and I wish the best. You should be so proud of yourself. Having financial stability, living on your own, looking at owning property 😮 Highest of High Fives 😊
Under the Same Moon made cry so much 😭
Hi Selena, I understand about the realtor/home buyer relationship. Where do you think you'd like to move to? I think some, if not all, of your subscribers, can hook you up with a great and honest realtor. It just depends on where you would like to move to. Your contents are excellent. Keep going and your goal of 100k subscribers will come true.
Hi hi! Can I know where you nightstand is from please?! Cute decor
From home goods ❤️
Hi Selena. What’s the name of the song when you’re doing the cafe and salad run? With love from SA 🇿🇦
Love you so muchhh❤️❤️
ILY 😭
be cognizant of Texas. prices may be lower, however, there are significant property taxes factored in monthly. for example, a friend of mine has a mortgage of 1300 a month, however, the taxes are another 1100 monthly, with that said, he pays $2400 every month. Also: dont treat the first home buying process as your forever home :) . instead, Enjoy every turn of this journey !!!
Yes 100% i did research on the property tax rates of different states! Definitely keeping that in mind. Along with job market potential, demographics, year round weather, and more! That’s why I’m leaning towards the PNW since I know it and feel most comfortable moving back there - plus that’s where my fam is 😅 but also I’m open to exploring other cities that might also fit my needs in ways I didn’t even know I needed! So who knows haha either way, I’ll be saving up!
cash is key!!! make sure your tax returns are "attractive" for lenders, I got denied twice due to my tax returns not being up to par meaning I wrote "too much" off! Lenders did not take me seriously because of this and had to buy my property in cash which I was prepared to do. Be ready to be denied 1-3 times before finally securing a property. People nowadays are buying way over asking but if you buy during this time when it's the holidays the market slows down and properties stay on the market longer. Buying cash allowed me to buy under $190K. It's also a property that is going to double in price next year. DON'T SKIP YOUR SURVEY OR INSPECTION!!!! Always get this and FIGHT BACK HARD if there are a lot of defects with the house, even NEW builds have defects. you can easily bring the total price down $5K-$10K!!
My only advice to buying a home is to get a fixed mortgage rate not an adjustable. Basically if you can’t afford a home on a fixed rate you can’t afford the home. I have had too many of my friends lose their shirts because they thought the fixed rate would eventually be low enough for them to jump in while their ARM kept rising, forcing them to sell and lose a ton of money. So be conservative in your loan and never trust a loan officer who pressures you into a loan you don’t feel is right for you. You got feet, walk away.
Love your content! You should consider NACA the program is great for first time homebuyers and I recently purchased my first home beginning of this year for $2,500 out of pocket and an interest rate of 2.25% !!! It is a serious process but so worth it!
Woah that’s cool! What is NACA? Is there an income eligibility?
@@SelenaTrevino nope there is no income limits. Just a steady income for the last 2 years. We did get a “higher” rate because we made more than the median income but it was still a steal!
Hi! New subscriber here! I’m obsessed with your videos and love your energy ❤ Thanks for sharing your life with us!
Also, not to be offensive or anything but how come you don’t move in with your boyfriend to save on rent? Is that not a viable option right now?
Javier Vidania has a great unbiased real estate Channel
Yes I watch him every day!! I’m literally playing his videos rn 😍👏🏽👏🏽
fabuloso is the best. it's the mexican in me. 😂
I'm 26 as well, and started my own business at 25 so I'm aware that entrepreneurs trying to get a home is harder because you don't have a set salary. So that's currently the only tidbit I can express.
Go you for starting your own business and believing in yourself 🫶🏽 yessss I’ve heard that! I’m only going to get approved based off of my income as a federal employee
Thank you! I'm truly the happiest I've ever been but it can have its disadvantages as mentioned. But yes, the process should be easier for you based on your salary. The extra income coming from your content should help like you said in your video. 🤍
@@samanthapvincent I’m sorry, yeah being an entrepreneur is a huge accomplishments but it does suck that you have to have 2 years of documentation 😭
@@SelenaTrevino Definitely but we live and learn, such is life!