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