tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15375316769021087192012-02-16T17:07:13.402-08:00Jeff Strand Real Estatenoreply@blogger.comBlogger11100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537531676902108719.post-3491227477118853732010-06-17T17:20:00.000-07:002010-06-17T17:24:34.835-07:00When choosing to purchase a home, there are several key items to think about. While one may seem more important than the other, together they are all important, especially when it comes to successfully buying a home. The following ten points are important to think about before purchasing a house. <br /><br /><div></div>1. Figure out how much you can afford:<br /><ul><li>Should you rent or buy?</li><li>Check home buying programs in your state.</li></ul>2. Learn your rights:<br /><ul><li>Attain all available publications such as Fair Housing, RESPA, borrows rights and predatory lending information. </li></ul>3. Get pre-approved:<br /><ul><li>This will help you understand what sort of housing you can afford and will also help your agent to understand your budget. </li></ul>4. Shop for a loan:<br /><ul><li>Learn and research the differences between loans. Understand the differences and study the negatives of each loan. What’s the difference between a 30-year loan and an ARM loan?</li><li>Consider government secured loans such as FHA loans.</li><li>Meet with several different mortgage providers such as a bank or a mortgage broker.</li><li>Look for local state home buying programs.</li></ul>5. Shop for a home and an agent:<br /><ul><li>Interview several agents to find one <strong>you</strong> like. Can the agent show you more than a small number of homes or are you free to work with that person as long as it takes to find&nbsp;a home&nbsp;you like?</li><li>Create a wish list of items you’d like to have in a home. </li><li>Create a comparison shopping checklist.</li><li>Do your research online for homes. Look for things that catch your eye and then work with your agent to see them. Don’t waste time, homes can sell&nbsp;quickly. </li><li>Consider a fixer-up if you’re handy. If a home has “good bones” remodeling can be a fun challenge. </li></ul>6. Make an offer:<br /><ul><li>If you see something you like, make an offer. Don’t waste time thinking about it overnight, especially&nbsp;in a hot market. It may not be there in the morning. </li></ul>7. Get a home inspection:<br /><ul><li>Make a checklist of items you’d like to ask your inspector.</li><li>Be there for the inspection so you can see firsthand what needs to be done.</li></ul>8. Shop for home owners insurance:<br /><ul><li>Consider using your current insurance provider to maximize multi-unit discounts for homes and cars. </li></ul>9. Sign the papers.<br /><br />10. Move-in day when you get your keys, the best part. Welcome home!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1537531676902108719-349122747711885373?l=seattlebuyers.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jeff Strand Real Estatenoreply@blogger.com