| A good home buying checklist, like any good | | | | your requirements? How does it feel when you |
| checklist, can make things go more smoothly. | | | | walk through it? Look at the neighborhood. |
| You will have to put your own list together | | | | Ask the agent about any problems the home may |
| according to what your own needs, but here | | | | have. Take a photo, or write a description, |
| are some items that will be common to most | | | | so you'll remember the home after looking at |
| home buying lists. | | | | others. Ask a lot of questions. Use a home |
| | | | inspection checklist, taking notes to pass on |
| ___ Prepare. Consider not only what monthly | | | | to a professional home inspector. |
| payment you can afford, but how much you want | | | | |
| to afford, given your other goals. Check your | | | | ___ Make a decision. Does the home work for |
| credit report and take actions to improve | | | | you? Find out the appraised value if |
| your credit score. Make a list of what you | | | | possible. Find out why the seller is selling. |
| want or need in a home, and prioritize it in | | | | How does the home compare to others you have |
| case you can't get everything. | | | | seen? What is the home worth to you, based on |
| | | | what you know of values at this point? Ask |
| Search Engine Marketing Specialist | | | | the agent if there have been other offers, |
| | | | and what happened with them. |
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| professional "full service" Search Engine | | | | ___ Make an offer. Have the agent help, but |
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| | | | negotiations. Write your earnest money check |
| ___ Choose an area in which to focus your | | | | to an agency, or the real estate broker if |
| search. What do you need in a town or | | | | they have an escrow account. Be clear in the |
| neighborhood? Use online resources to | | | | offer as to what stays with the home. Specify |
| investigate towns. Check crime rates online. | | | | who will pay for each closing cost. Include |
| Investigate schools. Look at local newspapers | | | | contingencies for any necessary inspections. |
| online to get a "feel" for a town. | | | | |
| | | | ___ Complete the purchase. Arrange |
| ___ Get preapproved. Gather pay stubs for the | | | | inspections as soon as the offer is accepted. |
| last few months. Find recent bank statements, | | | | Satisfy any other contingencies in the offer. |
| tax returns, w-2 forms, proof of other | | | | Get a loan commitment from a lender. Get a |
| income. Ask questions about loan options | | | | firm closing date. Buy home owners insurance. |
| (take notes). Make copies of pre-approval | | | | Get a closing statement. Obtain the cashiers |
| letter to submit with offers. | | | | check for the closing. |
| | | | |
| ___ Start home shopping. Browse online | | | | ___ Prepare for the move. Once closing is |
| listings. Look in newspapers, and real estate | | | | certain, arrange for transfer of utilities to |
| guides. Find a real estate agent that is | | | | your name. Mail change of address forms to |
| active in the area you are interested in, and | | | | post office. Start packing. Hire a mover. |
| with the types of houses you are looking for. | | | | Transfer prescriptions. Get kids registered |
| Consider a buyer's agent. Explain clearly | | | | in new schools. |
| what you are looking for. If the agent shows | | | | |
| you homes that clearly don't fit your | | | | As a final item on your home buying |
| criteria, fire him. Take notes on homes you | | | | checklist, check out everything thoroughly |
| see. | | | | when you arrive at your new home. It should |
| | | | be in the same (or better) condition as when |
| ___ Look at the homes. Does the home meet | | | | you made the offer. |