Buyers Top 10 List

Don't forget these 10 items when looking for your new home:

1. Find a Realtor® that's compatible to you.
   Home buying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It's critical that the Realtor® you choose is both skilled and a good fit with your personality.
    
2. Remember, there's no "right" time to buy, any more than there's a right time to sell.
   If you find a home now, don't try to second-guess the interest rates or the housing market by waiting. Changes don't usually occur fast enough to make that much difference in price, and a good home won't stay on the market long.
    
3. Get a pre-approval letter for a mortgage prior to looking at homes on the market.
   Most Sellers will require a letter from a known lending institution in order to accept your written offer.
    
4. Choose a home first because you love it; then think about appreciation.
   A home's most important role is as a comfortable, safe and enjoyable place to live.
    
5. Remember your home doesn't exist in a vacuum.
   Don't get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house (room size, kitchen appliances, décor) that you forget such issues as amenities, noise level, etc., that have a big impact on what it will be like to live in your new home.
    
6. Accept that no house is ever perfect.
   Focus in on the things that are most important to you and let the minor ones go.
    
7. Don't ask for too many opinions.
   It's natural to want reassurance for such a big decision, but too many ideas will make it much harder to make a decision.
    
8. Don't try to be a killer negotiator.
   Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process, but trying to "win" by getting an extra-low price may lose you the home you love.
    
9. Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-home buying budget.
   Even if you buy a new home, there will be some costs to maintain your home in good condition.
    
10. Accept that a little buyer's remorse is inevitable and will probably pass.
    Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a big commitment, but it also yields big benefits.

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