Home Buying Cheklist

By Rajeev Rampersad

In order to make the home buying process easier, it is important that you come up with a home buying checklist. A home buying checklist is simply a list of things you must have and wish to have in your new home. These needs will vary according to each individual person. However, there are some things that most home buyers have in common.

One of the most important things to include in your home buying checklist is your budget. You will need to have a full understanding of what you can and cannot afford. Obtain copies of your credit report and if there are any areas that need to be fixed, be sure to do that in advance.

Make a detailed list of what you want the home to have. For instance do you want a 3 or 4 bedroom? Make sure to include how many baths you want. If you want a ranch or a two-story, make sure to include that in your home buying checklist. If there are things that you do not want in your home, be sure to include those as well. Sometimes homeowners do not want things, like a pool, and that should made clear when looking for a home.

Next, pick an area in which you want to live and begin your search there. Consider what you want and need in a neighborhood and town. The Internet is a great place to obtain information regarding the different towns. If you have children, be sure to investigate the type of schools that are in the area, as well as the crime rates. A great way to get a feel for the area is to check out the local paper.

Begin your home shopping by browsing the online home listings. You can also check your local real estate guides as well as newspapers. Once you are ready to begin looking at homes, locate an agent that is active in the neighborhood you are interested in. Explain up front exactly what you are looking for. If the agent begins to show you homes that do not fit your criteria, it is probably time to consider a different agent.

When you are looking at the homes, make sure that they meet with your home buying checklist. When you walk through a house, does it feel like a home you would want to live in? Ask your real estate agent about any possible problems the house may have. In order to remember what the house looks like after you leave, take a picture and write down a detailed description of it. Be sure to ask questions about the home. A home inspection checklist will be very useful for making notes about the condition of the house. Afterward, you can give the list to an actual home inspector.

A home buying checklist will vary from person to person. However, when looking for a new home, there are some common factors that come into play. So before setting out to look for your dream home, be sure to prepare an accurate list of wants and needs.

Rajeev Rampersad loves creating informal websites. His website Home Buying Tips has some great information on what actions to take when purchasing a home. To learn all his tips and tricks please visit Home Buying Tips.

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Beware the Model Home

By Raynor James

When looking at homes, you will undoubtedly run across a few that simply take your breath away. The model home in a new development is one, but you should be cautious.

Whether you have been in real estate for a while or are just jumping in, it can be difficult to wrap your mind around something. A home you live in is a part of your life with associated memories and so on. A home for sale, on the other hand, is a product to be sold or bought. Many home buyers have real trouble grasping this fact, particularly when it comes to model homes.

A model home is the perfect marketing tool. Everything about it screams marketing and rightly so. It is the developer’s ultimate 3-D brochure serving the role of the bait on the hook and you are the fish. Simply put, the model home is immaculate. The landscaping looks like something from God’s personal garden. The interior of the model home is simply beautiful with top quality furniture and an elegant layout. Frankly, it is difficult to avoid asking where to sign after doing your first walkthrough. This is the very point of the model home. It is not designed to be lived in comfortably. It is not designed for kids or even real people. It is put together with one purpose in mind – to get you to buy one of the homes in the development.

When looking at model homes, the cliché of buyer beware is applicable and extremely important. Yes, the home is incredible, but it is NOT the home you are buying. You are not buying that landscape. You are not buying that interior design or top notch furniture. You are buying a home with a similar layout, but it will end up looking nothing like the model home. Why? Well, you don’t have the same furniture. You are also a real human and will make messes and so on. You might even be buying an actual home that has no landscaping.

When looking at model homes, you must divorce yourself from the presented image. Yes, it all looks very nice, but how will your furniture look in the home? Will the rooms and layout fit your need? Will you have to add your own landscaping? Most importantly, will you be comfortable in it? These are the true questions you should be asking.

If possible, you should also ask to see the actual home you will be buying and do a walkthrough. Without the fineries of the model home, you will be able to get a better view of what you are being asked to buy.

Raynor James is with FSBOAmerica - get a free one month listing when you sell for sale by owner.

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Tips For Home Buying

By Robert Thatcher

There are some defined steps in the home buying process. Buying a home can be stressful and challenging, but by following these defined steps a person can reduce the stress and frustration. Each steps ensures the person is doing everything they can to ensure the home buying process goes smoothly. These steps are the basics, so it is always smart for a potential home buyer to seek help from an expert in the field. The following outlines the steps to take in the home buying process.

1. Learn about the home buying process. The first thing a person should do is not jump into buying a home, but to learn about everything involved. They should learn about the paperwork, the legalities and about the process in general. By the time this first step is complete the person should have a good understanding about the rest of the process. This is a good time to talk with a professional, but it is important no to jump into any contracts with agents who may want to act on your behalf. This step is solely for gathering information.

2. Look for a potential neighborhood. A person should now begin looking at neighborhoods they would like to live in. This will give a person the basis for finding the type of home they are looking for. It will give them an idea of buying prices, as well.

3. Get pre-approved. Getting pre-approved for a home loan will benefit the potential home owner. A person that is pre-approved knows how much they can be financed for and can narrow down their search. It will also give them buying power. Someone selling their home will be impressed by someone who knows they can definitely buy the house. It greatly increasing the chance that any reasonable offer the person makes will be accepted.

4. Look at specific house. This is the part of the process that, if a person wants to work with a real estate agent, they would secure one. It is now time to look at houses. When looking at houses a person should check out all aspects. They should try picturing themselves living there. Check for anything about the house that they could not live with. It is important to consider the fact that once a person buys a home they are usually there for years. It is also important to shop around and not give an offer too soon.

After this point the only thing left to do is make an offer and buy a house. Potential home buyers can ease the process by following these four steps.

Robert Thatcher is a freelance author based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and contributes on a regular basis to FreeNetPublishing.com

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Why Get A Home Inspection

By Irene Gaffigan

Buying your home is one of the most significant decisions and biggest investments you will ever make. A professional home inspection will enable you to learn a great deal about a home, help give you peace of mind and answer some important questions. Whether you are buying or selling, you will have the benefit of knowing the ins and outs of a particular home.

Homebuyer Benefits:

You will gain an education of the home, top to bottom, so that you will know exactly what you are buying.. This information will help you to buy with confidence knowing that a true professional has carefully evaluated and inspected your future home.

Home Seller Benefits:

For sellers, a pre-listing inspection can detect previously unknown problems or potential upgrades that you wish to address prior to selling your home. Being aware of issues in advance will allow for disclosure of problems, which can result in smoother transactions for all parties.

Good Hiring Practices:

1. Hire a Professional.

Confirm your home inspector is a member of American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) - http://www.ashi.org/ and National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) http://nahi.org/.

2. Obtain a printed report.

Make sure you are given a complete, written report of your inspection results, preferably with photos included.

3. Attend the inspection.There is no substitute for the being at the inspection. The report provided is only a part of the inspection. When you attend the inspection, you can ask questions, and become more familiar with your home, you'll gain greater comfort and confidence in your buying decision.

Buyers and sellers interested in the Vermont real estate market and Okemo Mountain real estate market trust me to exceed their goals. For over 12 years I have been a top real estate producer, and I've been active in the Vermont real estate market and Okemo Mountain real estate market (buying, selling, and owning property). Through the use of the Internet and other technological means (like automated Vermont MLS listings), you receive exceptional service, the most attention to detail, and the fastest results.

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