| Looking at Homes - Things to Consider | | | | |
| | | | • Do you like swinging a hammer? |
| Before you vigorously look at homes to buy, | | | | |
| it's necessary to know how much you could | | | | • Older houses have grand charm, but |
| qualify for. Use mortgage calculators to | | | | might need updating. |
| decide how much you could buy with your down | | | | |
| payment and closing cost money and what your | | | | • New homes offer the newest energy |
| monthly payments would be. | | | | efficiency and design features. |
| | | | |
| Know Your Credit Worthiness | | | | • Larger lots could give room for |
| | | | additions and swimming pools. |
| Look at your credit report before you go to a | | | | |
| lender. It is not unusual to find problems | | | | • A fixer upper could dramatically |
| with reports, particularly if you have a | | | | increase in worth. |
| common last name. | | | | |
| | | | • A PUD may have confidential |
| Get Pre-Approved | | | | recreational facilities such as a pool and |
| | | | play parks. |
| After you see your credit report and any | | | | |
| troubles are cleared up, get pre-approved | | | | • A condo or town-house would relieve |
| with a lender. Take the steps essential to | | | | you of yard work and exterior maintenance. |
| get a letter from the lender stating you are | | | | |
| "pre-approved" for a loan in an exact price | | | | Sit down with your real estate agent and make |
| range. It's significant to have this letter | | | | up needs and needs list. Knowing your price |
| before you make an agreement offer to buy | | | | range, your agent could decide in what |
| real estate. Once you're pre-approved, you | | | | neighborhoods or towns to start looking. You |
| know what price range of homes you must be | | | | might find that you are limited to where you |
| looking at. | | | | look based on your situation. |
| | | | |
| What Kind of House is Right? | | | | There is no sense in homicide your or your |
| | | | agent's time in areas out of your price |
| • Determine the specifics your desire | | | | range. With a list of houses that you could |
| or need in a home. | | | | afford to buy, drive-by them and check out |
| | | | the surrounding neighborhood. Next make a |
| • What are your day to day and future | | | | date with your real estate agent to view the |
| wants? | | | | interior of the ones you are involved in. |