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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.