| A house is much more than a building. The | | | | go shopping for loans. Finally, get pre-qualified for |
| average homebuyer makes a big investment - | | | | a home loan. This will ensure that you have the |
| financially and emotionally - in the property they | | | | financing in place when you do find that perfect |
| purchase. To ensure that your real estate buy is | | | | property. |
| a close match to your dream home, just follow | | | | 4) Decide to Invest the Time. Some homebuyers |
| these easy steps. | | | | only look at a few properties before rushing to |
| 1) Know What Your Perfect Home is Like. | | | | close. If you want a home that is truly great, you |
| Working with pen and paper, brainstorm what | | | | need to give yourself time to look at many |
| your perfect home would be like. Where would it | | | | homes so that you can understand what is on the |
| be located? How many rooms would it have? | | | | market and what a good bargain is. |
| How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you | | | | 5) Define Your Plan of Attack. Again working with |
| want or need? Would your ideal home have a | | | | pen and paper, determine what steps you can |
| garage? Do you want or need a formal dining | | | | take to find the home of your dreams. Maybe |
| room - or a solarium, family room, great room, or | | | | you could speak with friends and family. You could |
| other rooms, for that matter? What size of yard | | | | look online or in your local newspaper. You could |
| do you want? How many stories do you prefer? | | | | talk to real estate agents. Check out a few |
| What amenities do you want? How old would | | | | search methods to see where the homes you |
| your ideal home be? At this stage, do not worry | | | | are interested in appear and then focus on that |
| about what you and cannot afford - just | | | | search method. |
| brainstorm what your perfect home would be. | | | | 6) Get a Buyer's Agent. A buyer's agent can save |
| Consider creating a scrapbook of images of | | | | you enormous amounts of time and frustration. |
| homes that you like. Finally, divide you wish list | | | | He or she can use years of real estate expertise |
| into two sections - "must haves" for your home | | | | to track down that perfect house for you, so |
| and "preferences" or "nice to have." This will keep | | | | consider a buyer's agent if it is at all possible. |
| you from having a too-narrow focus. While this | | | | 7) View Homes - Armed With the Right Tools. |
| may seem like a lot of preparatory work, keep in | | | | View as many homes as you possibly can. Come |
| mind that a home is major investment. You may | | | | in comfortable clothing and armed with a level, a |
| live in your new house for years or even | | | | flashlight, an instant camera, a notebook, and |
| decades, so it makes sense to do a little extra | | | | measuring tape. Look into every nook and cranny |
| work to find a property that will truly suit you. | | | | and take notes so that you can review the |
| 2) Know How Much You Can Afford. If you have | | | | viewing later. When you find a home that seems |
| no idea, speak to a mortgage expert at your local | | | | promising, get an inspector and assessor to take |
| bank or call a few lenders up to get a sense. If | | | | a look at the property for you as well - such |
| possible, look for a home that is slightly below | | | | expert opinion is invaluable. |
| what you can afford - living paycheck to | | | | 8) Do Your Research. Research neighborhood |
| paycheck is not a great option. | | | | property values, resell times and crime rates. |
| 3) Get Your Financial Details in Order Before You | | | | Learn as much as possible about the area where |
| Go Shopping. You can shop for clothing on a | | | | you will be living and opt for neighborhoods that |
| whim, but a home is a much larger commitment. | | | | are up-and-coming or very well cared-for. A |
| Before you even start looking, make sure that | | | | house never exists in a vacuum - your area and |
| you do the financial prep work. Get your financial | | | | neighbors will have a big impact on whether your |
| statements in order, get proof of employment. | | | | home is a dream house or a nightmare. |
| Check your credit score and credit history by | | | | Following these steps, you will eventually find a |
| calling all three major credit bureaus. If your credit | | | | house that you can afford and that makes your |
| score is not great, you will have a hard time | | | | heart beat faster. When you find it, you will know |
| qualifying for a great rate, so consider working | | | | that you can close, having seen to all the details |
| hard to get your credit score in shape before you | | | | for a hassle-free purchase. |