Twenty Steps to Make Home Buying Easy

The process of buying a house can seem really scary. You know there's a lot of paperwork involved, and a lot of vocabulary that might sound like a foreign language. A lot of people don't realize that they've got the financial resources to buy a home, or may have reasons they think they should continue renting. If you do a little research, however, the home buying process will seem a little less intimidating.

A great wat to stay organized is to make a checklist as you search for, find and buy a home. By keeping on top of your game-plan you will greatly increase your chances of success and buying the home of your dreams. To save time, bookmark this page and refer to the following checklist frequently.

1. To make yourself a serious and desireable home buyer, get qualified for a mortgage. Begin the mortgage application process by getting prequalified and preapproved from a Mortgage Lender. Do this first. The seller will need your mortgage qualification, and it will significantly strengthen your offer when you find a home.

2. Get your financial picture in focus as soon as possible. Since it is an important component, be aware of your credit situation. You may want to obtain a free copy of your credit report to make certain it is in order.

3. Establish trust. Many home buyers will speak to a several Realtors before they find someone they like and trust. Finding a qualified agent can help you find your dream home!

4. Determine your housing needs and wants to determine what types of houses you should be considering buying.

5. Familiarize yourself with the various types of housing available: Single family, townhouse, condo, etc.

6. Speak with a couple of real estate attorneys to determine who you are going to hire. Make sure that the attorney is familiar with local real estate procedures and contracts! If you need a referral, ask you Realtor.

7. Familiarize yourself with how to set a value on a house. This can save you a great deal of time and helps to avoid disappointment. A great search site is (www.remax.com).

8. When you find a house that you love and is in your price range, put in an offer.

9. Negotiate your best deal using the information you have acquired, being careful not to alienate the seller.

10. If you haven't already done so, apply for a mortgage loan.

11. Arrange for home inspection. Protect yourself and do not skip this step!

12. Learn about home warranties and what they cover.

13. Compare and secure homeowners insurance. Since homeowners insurance is a long term expense, getting the best deal here brings savings that continue.

14. Make all final preparations for closing, including turning on and off utilities.

15. Make moving plans. If you plan to use a moving company, make comparisons and reserve time now.

16. Start packing. Make sure to set aside a box or two for supplies your will need for your first night in your new home.

17. Secure final loan approval and commitment from the lending institution. If you have done your "up-front" work, this should be one of your easiest steps.

18. Do a final walk through of the house. You want to make sure the house is in the same condition as when you made your offer.

19. Attend closing. Bring driver's license, certified checks and all pertinent information as advised by your attorney or Realtor.

20. Move to your new home and begin enjoying it--you deserve it!

Check back for more in-depth articles regarding the home buying and selling process. Most important, make sure that you do not lose sight of your goal - buying a home! A real estate pruchase may be the biggest investment you make, so be sure to take your time and educate yourself but be prepared to move quickly when you have found the house that you want to buy.