| A house buying checklist will keep you
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| | What problems does it have? A photo or
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| from forgetting something important, and
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| | written description will help you
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| help make the whole process a little less
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| | remember the home after looking at
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| chaotic. It is perhaps best to put
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| | others. Carry and use a home inspection
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| together your own list according to your
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| | checklist, so you can take notes to pass
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| own needs. Here are some of the items you
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| | along to a professional home inspector.
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| will want to include.
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| | ___ The decision. It may be best to look
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| ___ Prepare to buy a house. Figure out
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| | at six or more homes before writing an
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| the monthly payment you can afford, but
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| | offer. Does this home have what you need?
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| also how much you want to afford, if you
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| | How does it compare to others you have
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| have other major goals. Take a look at
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| | seen? What is the appraised value, or at
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| your credit report. Take actions to
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| | least the value indicated by the tax
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| improve your credit score. List what you
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| | assessor. Why is the seller selling? Have
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| want or need in a home, prioritizing each
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| | there been other offers, and what
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| item it in case you can't get everything.
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| | happened with them (ask the agent)?
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| ___ Narrow the search to an area you
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| | ___ The offer. Don't reveal your thoughts
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| like. Consider what you need to be
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| | on possible negotiations to the agent.
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| comfortable. You can use online resources
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| | Make out your earnest money check to an
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| to investigate towns, and to check on
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| | escrow agent, or the real estate broker
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| crime rates. You can also read various
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| | if they have an escrow account. Specify
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| local newspapers online to get a "feel"
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| | what stays with the home, and who will
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| for a town. If you already know the town
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| | pay for each closing cost. Have
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| you'll be moving to, start driving around
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| | contingencies in the offer for any
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| to see which neighborhoods you like.
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| | necessary inspections.
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| ___ Get preapproved for a mortgage loan.
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| | ___ Closing the purchase. Get inspections
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| Gather pay stubs, recent bank statements,
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| | done as soon as you can after the offer
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| tax returns, w-2 forms, and proof of
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| | is accepted. Watch the deadlines for any
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| other income. Visit several lenders. Have
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| | other contingencies in the offer. Make
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| a list of questions about your loan
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| | sure you have a written loan commitment
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| options, and take notes. Get copies of
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| | from a lender. Set a closing date. Buy
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| any pre-approval letters. You can submit
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| | insurance for the house. Get a copy of
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| these with your offers, so the seller
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| | the closing statement before closing.
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| knows you are able to follow through.
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| | Have a cashiers check ready for the
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| ___ Start shopping for a house. Look at
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| | closing.
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| online listings, in newspapers, and in
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| | ___ Moving. When the closing date is
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| real estate guides. Locate a real estate
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| | certain, transfer utilities to your name.
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| agent that's active in the neighborhoods
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| | Change your address at the post office.
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| you like, and one who sells the types of
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| | Pack. Hire a mover or arrange for a
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| houses you're looking for. You may want
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| | u-haul. Transfer your prescriptions if
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| to consider using a buyer's agent. Be
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| | you are moving out of town. Register the
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| very clear about what you're looking for.
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| | kids in their new schools.
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| If an agent repeatedly shows you homes
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| | ___ A final item on your house buying
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| that don't fit your criteria, find a new
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| | checklist: check out everything
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| agent to help you.
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| | thoroughly when you arrive at your new
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| ___ Go see those homes. Have a good list
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| | home. Generally (and specifically in most
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| of questions as part of your house buying
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| | contracts) it should be in the same or
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| checklist. Does the house have what you
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| | better condition as the day you made your
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| need? Does it feel good when you walk
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| | offer.
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| through it? Do you like the neighborhood?
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