Choosing The Right Home

    1. Research before you look.

    • Decide what features you most want to have in a home, what neighborhoods you prefer, and how much you’d be willing to spend each month for housing.

    2. Be realistic.

    •  It’s OK to be picky, but don’t be unrealistic with your expectations.
    •  There’s no such thing as a perfect home.
    •  Use your list of priorities as a guide to evaluate each property.

    3. Get your finances in order.

    •  Review your credit report and be sure you have enough money to cover your down payment and closing costs.
    •  Then, talk to a lender and get prequalified for a mortgage.
    •  This will save you the heartache later of falling in love with a house you can’t afford.

    4. Don’t ask too many people for opinions.

    • It will drive you crazy.
    •  Select one or two people to turn to if you feel you need a second opinion, but be ready to make the final decision on your own.

    5. Decide your moving timeline.

    •  When is your lease up?
    •  Are you allowed to sublet?
    •  How tight is the rental market in your area?
    •  All of these factors will help you determine when you should move.

    6. Think long term.

    • Are you looking for a starter house with plans to move up in a few years, or do you hope to stay in this home for a longer period? 
    •  This decision may dictate what type of home you’ll buy as well as the type of mortgage terms that will best suit you.

    7. Insist on a home inspection.

    • If possible, get a warranty from the seller to cover defects for one year.

    8. Get help from a REALTOR®.

    •  Hire a real estate professional who specializes in buyer representation, like Le’Kisha who is an Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR).
    •  Unlike a listing agent, whose first duty is to the seller, a buyer’s representative is working only for you.
    •  Buyer’s reps are usually paid out of the seller’s commission payment.