Real Estate 101: First Time Homebuyer's Guide

"If you are going to be buying real estate for theabout "closings" and about "amortization" on home
first time, the process can seem overwhelming.loans and about all kinds of other industry terms.
Indeed, there's a lot to learn. Of course, you'llGet a real estate dictionary or a basic book on
work with a professional real estate agent whobuying real estate so that you can keep up with
can help you to understand the process, but youthe conversations going on around you.
should do some studying on your own to make- You'll probably need to get a loan for buying first
sure that you know what you're getting in to.time real estate. Work with your lender to get
This is especially true if you are investing in realthe best rate possible. You should also know that
estate with the hopes that you'll be able to makethere are special tax deals for home owners,
a profit off it in the near future.especially in the year of purchase. Make sure to
Before buying first time real estate, here arework with a tax attorney to get yourself the
some things that you need to know:best financial deal.
- There are buyer's markets and seller's markets- It's a bad idea to be impulsive but if you know
and you should know when you're in the midst ofwhat you want then you should go after it. You
which. Pay attention to the sale prices of homesprobably aren't going to want the first home that
in the areas that you are looking to buy. Watch ifyou look at. You might not even decide to invest
they go up or down over time. Following thein the first hundred homes that you look at. But if
trends will help you to know when it's a goodyou do walk into your ideal home early on, it's
time to buy and when you need to wait.okay to make a move on it. Just make sure that
- There's a slight difference between real estateyou look realistically at the value of the home so
agents and realtors. A realtor is a member of thethat you don't get a bad deal.
National Realtor Association which involves certainMost of buying a first time home is actually about
training. If a real estate agent gains this status, heusing some common sense. Ask yourself if you'd
or she might be a good choice. But a realtor maylet your daughter, grandmother or best friend buy
be someone who is not a real estate agent butthe home that you want to buy. If so, you're
rather is someone else in the industry (such as aprobably getting yourself a good deal. If not, you'll
home appraiser). Ask questions about thewant to do some more legwork and ask a lot of
professionals that you'll be working with to makequestions. It's okay to be confused if this is your
sure that you're working the real estate agent orfirst time being real estate, especially since this is
realtor that is right for your needs.an investment that could benefit you greatly if
- There's a language to be learned when buyingyou play your cards right!
real estate for the first time. You need to know