TIPS FOR HOME BUYERS

Get professional help. Consider enlisting the services of a licensed Realtor® (me, I certainly hope) as a Buyer's Representative. Unlike a listing agent (the one with the sign in front of a house) or a new home salesperson, whose first duty is to the seller or builder, a Buyer's Representative is working ONLY FOR YOU! And Buyer's Rep fees (commissions) are most always paid for by the seller or builder. This means that you, as a buyer, get professional help, guidance, and advice from someone REPRESENTING YOU -- FOR FREE! Hiring a Realtor® (me, again) should be a no-brainer for you.

Think ahead for the long term. Are you looking for a starter home and have plans to move up to something better in a few years? Do you hope to stay in the home you buy for years and years? Your answers to these questions may dictate what type of home we should shop for for you, and how you should approach the financing to best suit your plans.

Do your homework. Before you start looking consider carefully and decide what features you want in a home and which are most important to you. I suggest that you list the three items that you absolutely cannot live without, and the three items which would be nice to have as extras.

Be picky, but don't be unrealistic. There is no perfect home.

Get your finances in order. Review your credit report and be sure you have enough money over and above your anticipated monthly house payment to cover your down-payment and your closing costs. (I can help you with this and explain the various technical real estate terms.)

Don't wait to get a loan. Talk to a lender and get pre-approved for a mortgage before you start looking. (I can give you lots of direction in this, and can give you some rough-estimates of how much house you should be able to afford.)

Decide when you could move. When is your lease up? How tight is the rental market? Are you allowed to sublet? Can you hold-over on a month-to-month basis? The home-buying process typically takes between one and two months from making a serious start to actual move-in, so your time frame could be important.

Don't let yourself be house-poor. If you max your finances out considering and/or buying the biggest house you can currently afford, you may have no money left for decoration, maintenance, or emergency needs.

Don't ask too many people for opinions. It will drive you crazy. Select one or two trusted friends or family members to turn to if you feel you need a second opinion.

Don't be naive. Insist on a home inspection of the house you pick out to buy. I'll pretty much insist that you do this too, and I can provide a list of qualified home inspectors for you to choose from if you want. I'll also insist that we ask for a warranty from the seller to cover any defects which may come to light later.

I hope you find this list of tips helpful.

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Call DENNIS GRIGASSY ... and you'll be on your way home!
Contact Me Today! CLICK HERE to send me an E-mail or Call me.

DENNIS GRIGASSY, Realtor Associate - RE/MAX Heritage - 281.265.7355 Ext 388
www.DennisMyRealtor.com