A House Buying Checklist

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