Jesselle Cook’s Complete Home Buying Guide for Glenn County

Welcome to a simpler time and place! Glenn County is the perfect place for those who are looking for small-town, rural community living with natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and affordable living.

Glenn County was incorporated in 1891, and named for a prominent local wheat farmer, Dr. Hugh J. Glenn. Situated midway between the cities of Redding and Sacramento, the county is nestled between mountains in the west and the Sacramento River in the east. Glenn County boasts over 1,100 farms, national forests and wildlife refuges, abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation, and much more. Glenn County real estate is among the most affordable you can find in California.

Glenn County has a single school system, the Glenn County Office of Education, which oversees nine k-12 school districts, adult education, and other specialized educational services. William Finch Charter School offers tailored instruction to students in grades K-12, while Success One is an adult education charter school.

Glenn County real estate ranges from properties of several hundred acres of farmland and orchards to cozy small-town neighborhoods. How will you ever choose? Where does the process begin?

In what season of life do you currently find yourself? Are you and your spouse planning to start a family soon? Are your kids on the verge of graduation, leaving you an empty nester? Do you have aging parents or other relatives who may need to move in with you for care? Each of these considerations will drastically affect the type of home and location that suits your family. Go ahead and plan for the needs you anticipate over the next 10 years or so. This may prevent you from having to relocate again based on changing life circumstances.

How much Glenn County real estate can you afford? Buying a home is expensive, in fact, the single largest financial investment most people will ever make. When you get pre-qualified for a loan, the amount may seem too good to be true. Avoid the frequent mistake of basing your home-buying budget solely on your loan pre-qualification. Often lenders are willing to loan you  substantially more money than you can comfortably pay back in monthly installments.

The monthly mortgage payment is not the only financial consideration. Depending on the type of loan you choose, you will need to have varying amounts of money available for a down payment. Traditionally, 20% down has been the most popular, but there are other options that do not require as hefty a down payment. The caveat with lower down payments is that you will be asked to pay mortgage insurance.

Also remember that when you close on your home, costs can average between 2-5% of the loan amount, and it is vital that you have money set aside for this. Plan for utilities, taxes, and home maintenance, and you will be in a position to live comfortably in your new home.

What do you need in a home to make family life run smoothly? Think about places in which you have previously lived, as well as your current home. What features have you really appreciated, and which ones have been a source of frustration? Remember to consider storage needs, how you choose to use your home, the time required for maintenance and upkeep, and the centrality of location. These are the features that must be included in the new home you find.

Along with the non-negotiables, there are many factors of a home that just make living in it more appealing. What factors do you hope to find in your new home? Large windows, a functional mudroom, and some extra storage? As you begin your home search process, make the list as detailed and idealized as you wish, understanding that there will likely be areas in which you have to compromise in order to find a home that suits your family's needs and budget.

Do you have an idea of what you are looking for in a home now? If so, the next step is to hire a real estate professional who can help you find the Glenn County real estate for sale that best suits your family.

No one is more important to the homebuyer than a knowledgeable, local real estate agent. Jesselle Cook understands the community and the market for Glenn County real estate for sale, and she will work tirelessly to find you the right home for your family. Reach out to her with your wishlist and questions and let the homebuying adventure begin!

After you have toured homes and have begun to narrow down your options to a few favorite houses, spend some time walking or driving around in the community to get a feel for what it's like to be a part of it. Can you envision your family thriving here? If you have the opportunity to do so, engage in conversation with the locals and learn from them what they love about the area. Be a keen observer of the condition of nearby homes, roadways, proximity to amenities, the quality of the schools, noise, and more. Each of these factors may impact your experience in the home you choose, as well as your resale value later.

Do you have everything in order for closing? Gathering the necessary paperwork can feel overwhelming and exhausting, but with some organization, it doesn't have to be. Here is a list of some of the documents you are likely to need for your loan application and for closing. Begin gathering them now so that the transaction will go as smoothly and quickly as possible.

 

 

As your loan application goes through underwriting, you can expect to have your credit checked and possibly other documents requested, per your specific loan and institution's needs.

Once the loan is approved and a closing date is set, you are almost ready to relocate to Glenn County.  It's time to make reservations with a moving company and start packing up your boxes! Congratulations, and welcome to your new home!

Ready to take the next step? Reach out to local realtor Jesselle Cook for guidance!