First Time Buyer Tips

First Time Buyer Tips

Should you buy a home? It’s Your decision, not your extended family or friends decision.
consider some of the key issues involved.

1.Take sufficient time to research the area(s) that are suitable for your needs. With so much
information available now online, searching for the type of home, neighborhood, and suitable
location for you and your family can be very thoroughly done without leaving your home.
A quick look at photographs and you can then decide to view more detailed information or
take virtual tours of different properties.

2.Then after you have defined your parameters see a Realtor to personally view/tour homes
and neighborhoods. As you view different houses, you may find your list of desirable features
changing (yes, I do want a fenced in backyard, no I don’t want a pool).After a few viewings,
details of each location become blurry. Trying to see more than half a dozen houses in a
single day will put you into information overload. Some suggestions: ring a digital camera and
notepad and record visually and in depth details of the home and its’ surroundings. Include
in your notes things your really liked and especially any questions that come to you while you
inspect (you might not remember later). Are there any resident association restrictions you
need to know? The house seems perfect to you, EXCEPT you want to paint it green. Will the
neighborhood covenants interfere with your choices for cosmetic changes? Rate the house
on a scale (say from 1 to 10), and discard homes you know just would not work for you.

3. After reviewing your pictures and notes, perhaps a second viewing of your top choices will
help you make a decision – have you already seen your choice, or should you look some
more? Only you should decide if you want to see a lot more homes before embarking on
what it probably the greatest financial decision you make for you and your family. Realtors
are required to inform you of all known problems-bad neighbors, noisy dogs, etc. The
keyword is “known”. Get a good inspection of the property you decide to buy.

4. Get good financial advice from a professional in the mortgage business. It is essential to
know what value of house you can afford before you start looking. Many seller will insist on
you being pre-approved for the level of debt required to purchase their home. I situation that
although you’d think is common sense, many buyers often over look it.

Avoid expensive closing
costs using my
Strategic Finance Partner

Remember, your idea of a
perfect home might not be
your neighbors!

If you would like avoid the first time buyer pitfalls and have Tony Whitworth of Prospects Realty
assist you in finding and actually buying your first home, simply fill in your details in the form
opposite and submit it to him. He will contact you as soon as possible.

Remember - Less Time, Less Cost and with Less Stress

It's your move...