Finding Your Next Home

There are probably few things in life that are as exciting - or as nerve racking - as the search for a house. All the good emotions and the bad emotions seem to converge when the house hunting begins. Don't worry, this is a normal reaction, and is found in seasoned home buyers as well as those who are looking for their first home. Here are a few tips to help you get started and reduce the stress of finding your next home.

• Once the decision to buy a home has been made, take the time to prepare before you go on your home search. Yes, it is very tempting to rush out and actually look at houses, but to do so without full preparation can be both disastrous and expensive. If you review this list, you will find that "house hunting" is about halfway down the list.
• Get your financial house in order first! I can't stress this enough - it will save you an enormous amount of time, aggravation, and heartache.
• Determine what your budget will comfortably allow and stick to it. Don't spend yourself into a "house Poor" situation.
• Get preapproved for a mortgage. This will not only give you a clear idea of how much a lender will approve for you, it will make your homebuying process a great deal easier. E-Mail me to get a list of the highest quality lenders:  lisacreaseyrealtor@insightbb.com
• Get familiar with the different housing types available to narrow your search.
• Determine your minimum requirements as well as any desired additional features - your needs and wants.
• Take note of any items that you don't want in a house.
• Determine the desired location (schools, work, public transportation, etc.)
• Familiarize yourself with the mortgage process.
• Choose an Agent that you feel comfortable with and who understands your needs. Be completely aware of the Agency issue. If you look for houses before you have your own Agent, you may not have the representation you want.
• Use all resources available in looking for homes: Friends, relatives, and of course, a good Real Estate Agent.
• As you are looking, use a scorecard to compare homes. A scorecard is a great tool when it comes time for comparisons (and for remembering which home had which features)
• Get familiar with the inspection process - especially the personal inspection aspect, so that you can weed out unacceptable houses quickly. (This is a key element for having a realtor)
• Maintain your perspective - and your cool! You may find an acceptable house on the first day - or the tenth. The important thing is to get the home that is best for you!