1) Choose the region where you wish to live and, mainly, how much you intend to spend with the real estate purchase. Remember: the acquisition of your home is one of the most important steps of your life and it must be taken safely, with a lot of discussion with your spouse and children. Take into account the future family needs.
2) Choose the type of real estate you intend to acquire: used, new or being built. Think about the size of the place, if you want a house or an apartment (low or high floor, backwards or whatever), number of parking spots, with or without a balcony, with wide or none leisure area (swimming pool, party room, games). If you choose a condominium, think of how much you intend or are willing to pay as for pro-rata expenses.
3) Make calculations. The time is also good to think about the best financing manner With bank or in installments with the building company during the work period? Do you plan to use FGTS resources?. Whether the real estate unit is new or used, there is always the option of obtaining bank financing (the websites of several banks offer manners to calculate the value of the financing installments). In case you have nice financial savings – or goods that can be sold, such as car – it is possible to use that in the down payment or purchase of the real estate unit.
4) Having made the decision, visit the chosen place and check which undertakings are there in the place. Also analyze the infra-structure available at the region, as well as the services provided, such as schools, bakeries, supermarkets, pharmacies, hospitals, bus and subway lines in the neighborhood, parks. Visit the undertaking during the day and, in special, at night. Take your time. Go to sales booths, visit model apartments, talk to realtors and think a lot, because the decision must be responsible and exclusively to your family. After having analyzed the region chosen, do not be afraid of expanding your horizons and look for real estate units in near neighborhoods. Internet is also a great option for those who look for real estate units. Visit websites specialized in the sale of real estates, of real estate agencies and building and incorporating companies.
5) When choosing to buy a used real estate, be firm with the realtor in regards to your definition of the kind of real estate. Give preference to the professional who knows the place. Ask for information to him/her before scheduling the visit. If it does not meet your specifications, do not go. Also avoid being in the hands of several professionals. Prefer exclusivity (when the real estate unit is only available to one real estate agency).
6) If the real estate is new or is being built, usually the commission value is charged separately. If the real estate is new, the commission is paid by the salesperson, but you should know you will be in charge of the payment of the commission proportional to the value of your real estate given as part of the payment. At that moment, it is important not to involve yourself emotionally with the owner of the real estate you are buying. Let the realtor negotiate.
7) When it is time to present a proposal, try to picture yourself in the salesperson’s shoes. Avoid absurd proposals, with high discounts, for instance. If he accepts, there must be something wrong. Make sure of what is included in the value and talk freely, avoiding future embarrassment. Question what you do not understand and demand clear and accurate answers. Pay a lot of attention of the documents of the real estate and the owner’s, which should preferably be analyzed by a lawyer you trust.
8) When you choose to buy a real estate unit that is going to be built, research the history and work of the building/incorporating company, and, if possible, visit works that it already delivered. Ask for a copy of the incorporation registration to the realtor and before signing the Purchase and Sale agreement. Take a look at Law 4.591/64 (Condominiums and Incorporations) and submit it to a known lawyer. In spite of basically presenting the same clauses, it is not exaggerated to have the analysis of a specialist in the real estate market. Follow the works through visitations to the undertaking or via Internet. Many companies offer this service in their websites.
9) Program yourself. The amounts of the installments paid during the period of construction of the undertaking may be different from the financing installments of the debtor balance. Attention: until delivery of the keys, the debtor balance is monthly indexed by INCC or CUB. After the keys are handed in, you will have the option of acquitting the debt, use FGTS resources to amortize part of the value – in case it is the acquisition of the first real estate – and finance the remaining with the bank. There are attractive fees and long terms available at the market. However, the essential is that the installment – controlled or adjustable – suits you.
10) After the financing is cleared, the signature of the real estate’s deed and the delivery of the keys, the purchaser must pay ITBI to the City Hall and the proper registration fees. Program yourself and make savings. Do not forget to register your deed at the Real Estate Records, even if you had not hired any financing. Moreover: when you receive the real estate unit, read the use instructions and the Owner’s Manual to make sure of the warranties of your unit. The legal terms are different for the various components.
Source: Secovi-SP