Research before you
look. Decide what features
you most want to have in a home, what neighborhoods you prefer, and how much
you’d be willing to spend each month for housing.
Be realistic. It's OK to be picky, but don’t be unrealistic
with your expectations. There’s no such thing as a perfect home. Use your list
of priorities as a guide to evaluate each property.
Get your finances in
order. Review your credit
report and be sure you have
enough money to cover your down payment and closing costs. Then, talk to a
lender and get pre-qualified for a mortgage. This will save you the heartache
later of falling in love with a house you can’t afford.
Don’t ask too many
people for opinions. It will drive you
crazy. Select one or two people to turn to if you feel you need a second
opinion, but be ready to make the final decision on your own.
Decide your moving
timeline. When is your lease up?
Are you allowed to sublet? How tight is the rental market in your area? All of
these factors will help you determine when you should move.
Think long term. Are you looking for a starter house with plans
to move up in a few years, or do you hope to stay in this home for a longer
period? This decision may dictate what type of home you’ll buy as well as the
type of mortgage terms that will best suit you.
Insist on a home
inspection. If possible, get a
warranty from the seller to cover defects for one year.
Get help from a real estate agent. Hire a real estate
professional who specializes in buyer representation. Unlike a listing agent,
whose first duty is to the seller, a buyer’s representative is working only for
you. Buyer’s reps are usually paid out of the seller’s commission payment.
Fred Yancy, Realtors LLC ~ 225 Creekstone Ridge, Woodstock, GA 30188 ~ (678) 922-2463
www,FredYancy.com