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