| Buying a new home can be an exciting time, | | | | process will pay off. |
| whether it´s your first home or your | | | | |
| fifth. However, your savings, your credit | | | | Once you have selected a home that you feel |
| rating, and your financial freedom are all on | | | | is right, inspect it thoroughly. Be sure the |
| the line when purchasing a new home. | | | | home is inspected by a professional home |
| | | | inspection company, and go over that report |
| You want to feel comfortable when it is time | | | | with a fine-toothed comb. By taking the time |
| to sign on the dotted line and feel good | | | | to do this before making the purchase, you |
| about the home you are about to purchase. | | | | can save yourself an endless amount of stress |
| | | | after the fact. |
| It´s important not to let your emotions | | | | |
| cloud your judgment when you set out to buy | | | | Don´t take anything for granted. There |
| what is most likely the largest single item | | | | are many pitfalls that can surface during the |
| of your life - your new home. | | | | process, and it´s vital that you take care |
| | | | of these problems before you move in. When |
| Before you get to actually looking at homes, | | | | inspecting your home, check for working |
| take the time to establish your needs and | | | | utilities so there are no surprises later on. |
| wants. Make a careful assessment of what you | | | | Check out all costs and expenses before you |
| absolutely must have in your new home | | | | sign anything. |
| compared to what would just be nice. | | | | |
| | | | Taxes, insurance and homeowner dues may |
| Be as specific as possible when determining | | | | appear, and you need to know all of them. |
| your needs prior to purchase. It will save | | | | Ask as many questions as possible and be very |
| you much time and concern to do this before | | | | conscious of details. |
| looking rather than getting into a new home | | | | |
| only to discover that it doesn´t meet your | | | | Use your home-buying team as much as |
| needs. | | | | possible. Align yourself with the right real |
| | | | estate professional and you will have an |
| Determine how much you can afford in a home | | | | entire team of reliable lenders, title |
| loan and get pre-approved. Set up a budget | | | | representatives and home inspection companies |
| for monthly payments and be realistic. By | | | | available to you. Each of these people |
| assessing your financial situation and | | | | should work hand in hand with you and each |
| getting pre-approved, you can be certain that | | | | other for your benefit. |
| when you select a new home, you will have the | | | | |
| financial backing to get you in as quickly as | | | | Be sure to do a final walk through once all |
| possible. | | | | the previous owner´s furnishings have been |
| | | | moved to be sure of no surprises. Be |
| When considering the purchase of a home, | | | | absolutely positive the property is in |
| don´t just look at your current financial | | | | exactly the same condition that you agreed |
| status. You will probably be in this home | | | | upon in the contract. Things that could not |
| for years, and many things can change. Take | | | | have been spotted before are often |
| your future into account as well, looking at | | | | unintentionally overlooked. |
| such things as job changes and a growing | | | | |
| family. | | | | Plan for flexibility. Closing dates are not |
| | | | carved in stone. Allow for certain |
| Once you begin the process of searching for a | | | | contingencies and always have a back-up plan |
| home, don´t let emotions cloud your | | | | in the event that delays occur. These types |
| judgment. Just because a house has a nice | | | | of circumstances are not at all uncommon in |
| lawn or some interesting architectural | | | | real estate transactions, so it is important |
| features doesn´t mean it is the perfect | | | | that you are prepared for them. |
| one for you. While it is important to | | | | |
| consider the aesthetics of a property, | | | | Any and all promises and agreements must be |
| consider that much of what you see can be | | | | written. If it is not in writing, then |
| changed. | | | | assume that it doesn´t exist. Even the |
| | | | best of intentions can be unintentionally |
| Never judge a house by how the current owner | | | | misinterpreted, so take the time with your |
| has decorated. Most likely, whatever is | | | | REALTOR to be certain that all agreements |
| inside the house will be gone when the seller | | | | have been signed on paper. |
| leaves, and it will be up to you to paint and | | | | |
| decorate. | | | | Remember, your team will work best for you if |
| | | | you are honest and up front with them. Take |
| Take the time to view several homes. This | | | | the time to select the right team of |
| doesn´t mean look at every house available | | | | professionals to get you into your new home |
| on the market, but look at enough properties | | | | and do everything possible to make this an |
| to get a good feeling that you aren´t just | | | | enjoyable experience. They will return the |
| making an impulse buy. When you find the | | | | favor by getting you into your new home as |
| right home, all the work you do in this | | | | smoothly as possible. |