Home buying help for Akron’s North Hill Nepali and Bhutanese community

First-time buyer steps

1. Talk to a lender first. Get pre-approved so you know your real price range and monthly payment.
2. Pick what matters. Bedrooms, bathrooms, parking, yard, distance to work, school, family and shopping.
3. Look at homes. I set up showings and tell you what I see: roof, furnace, water heater, basement, windows.
4. Make an offer. We decide price, earnest money and which inspections to include.
5. Inspect. A home inspection finds problems before you own them. Then we ask for repairs, a credit or a lower price, or we walk away.
6. Appraisal and loan approval. The lender checks the value and finishes your loan. Don’t open new credit or change jobs during this time if you can avoid it.
7. Closing. Sign, pay closing costs, get the keys.

Homes for bigger and multigenerational families

If parents, grandparents or adult children will live with you, look past the bedroom count:

• A bedroom and full bathroom on the first floor, so stairs aren’t a problem
• Enough parking: driveway, garage, and the street rules
• A second kitchen or in-law space. Check city zoning and permits before you count on it as a separate unit.
• Two-family (duplex) homes, where one family lives on each floor
• Water heater, furnace and electrical panel that can handle more people
• Big kitchen and room for family gatherings

Saving and down payment basics

• Save for more than the down payment. You also need closing costs, earnest money, the inspection and moving costs, plus money left over for repairs.
• Keep money where the lender can see it. Lenders usually want bank statements. Large cash deposits can be hard to explain, so ask the lender before you move money around.
• Family gifts. If a relative gives you money for the down payment, the lender will tell you how to document it, often with a gift letter.
• Protect your credit. Pay bills on time and avoid new car loans or credit cards before closing.
• Ask about help. Ask your lender which first-time buyer and down payment assistance programs you qualify for.

Buying together with family

Many families pool money to buy a home. That can work well. Decide these things early:

• Whose names go on the loan, and whose go on the deed
• Who pays the down payment, the monthly payment, taxes, insurance and repairs
• What happens if someone wants to move out or sell later
• Who signs papers and who I should talk to during the deal

Write it down. For deed and ownership questions, talk to a real estate attorney or the title company.

North Hill and nearby areas

I help buyers in Akron, including North Hill, plus Cuyahoga Falls and nearby communities. I also help in Canton and all of Stark County. You choose where to look. I help you check the house, the street, the taxes and the commute.

Comparing Canton-area options? See my Canton-area ZIP code guides and lakes near Canton.

I follow fair housing law and work the same way with every buyer. I describe homes and areas, and you decide where you want to live.