Thursday, 10 November 2011

Finding The Perfect Home For First Time Buyers

By Homer Weiss


It is no secret that the economy is at the lowest it's been in several years. This is great for the first time home buyer as it is definitely a buyers market. Since the home buyer has no house to sell, he is sitting in the cat bird seat. At present, houses are at the lowest prices they have been in decades, and would cost much more in an improved economy.

Sure, the unknown quantity of buying that first home is scary for everyone. They have never undergone this complex process, don't know what to expect and don't have a clue where to start. A loan application and placing an offer on a home seems way beyond the new home buyer's scope. Take it easy, though. There are ways to make it go smoothly even for the greenest homebuyer.

The first thing that you should do when preparing to buy your first is to get a good relator on your side. This way you have someone to help you find the type of house that you are looking for that is also within your budget. They are able to quickly look through all the houses on the market to find the ones that you are likely to be most interested in. This can save you a lot of time and frustration by not looking at houses that are nowhere near what you are looking for.

Another thing to do when you are looking to buy your first house is to look into prequalifying for a home loan. Talk to your bank and ask them about what steps you need to take to get a home loan through them. Don't be afraid to research other mortgage companies and their rates. Just because you bank somewhere doesn't mean that you are obligated to use them for your mortgage, too.

Next is to have a professional inspector come out and inspect the home(s) you are interested in purchasing. It can save you from investing in a money pit that may harbor unforeseen foundation or roof damage, plumbing disasters or any other such horror unseen by the naked eye on a cursory walk through.

Usually, a good realtor will help you find someone to inspect the house. Often times, the inspectors are pretty good about knowing which houses are likely to have problems and which aren't. Realtors will also walk you through putting in an offer. When you do finally find the perfect house, they will help you close the deal, so that you can to the important stuff.

Don't be overwhelmed by the task of buying your first home. Once you get off on the right start, it becomes a structured process. It does not have to be frightening. Get yourself a realtor with a fine reputation before you do anything else. Then have fun looking at all the houses he brings your way. Do not be pressured by anyone to settle on a home you are not sure of or is way beyond your budget. There are enough houses on the market at good prices now to enable you to search to your heart's content. There are some realtors who have access to home builders who will build your first house exactly to your specifications. As stated earlier, it's a buyers market. Go ahead. Get your first home before the economy improves.




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