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Making House Hunting Fun
There's no shortage of information available to help you make an informed purchase decision. Take the guesswork
out of shopping for a home by taking advantage of all the professional resources available to guide you through
the many choices available when purchasing your first home. Your real estate agent will be able to find listings
for you, based on your wishlist. But don't stop there! You can do your own looking, and then ask your agent to
show you the house. Start with the Internet. Pick up real estate flyers at local grocery stores and convenience
stores. Read the real estate sections of your local newspaper. Drive around neighborhoods that interest you and
write down addresses where there are "for sale" signs. Go to open houses. Try everything!
If you don't enjoy the house hunting process have an agent narrow down the search for you and view the homes they
have pre-screened for you.
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Finding The Right Home
Once you've decided to make a move, how do you go about it?
When it comes to the largest purchase in one's life, the key phrase is "you'd better shop around". Don't settle
on the first home you see. Most Referred® Real Estate Agents have been pre-screened by a national survey of their
peers and were chosen for honesty, integrity, market knowledge and experience. Their expertise will be a tremendous
help as you consider your home purchase.
Some of the things you need to consider when buying a home. The neighborhood and the market values. The schools,
transportation and shopping available. Specific home features you may require. Local traffic and commuter patterns
for work.
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Buying Outide Of Your Budget
We are all familiar with more funds going out than what is coming in. Kids these days always want the best regardless
of whether they can really afford it or not. It is easy for a Real Estate Agent to nod their head and make the quick
commission, fully realizing that one-year later when the marriage is on the rocks that they will be earning another
commission as the property is on the market again.
Careful budgeting is the order of the day! First time purchasers be warned that it is very easy to buy beyond your
means, as you count on dual incomes until the new baby arrives. It is better to buy the home you need and con
comfortably afford than experience being forced to sell and buy down. House rich and cash poor is not the way to
experience life!
On the opposite end of the scale is purchasing a home that offers less function and feature than what you really
need. Inevitably, you will end up purchasing the right home and have to bear the cost of reselling and moving again.
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Over or Underestimating Your Housing Needs
A $10,000+ mistake can occur when you purchase with only the immediate timeframe in mind. You opted for no family
room, and three months later are delighted to learn your first child is on its way. Or your children all leave home
in the same year and now you find yourself rambling around in empty rooms! On the other hand, when parents downsize
too early, they find their adult children have rebounded with a few extra additions! Consider all your options
carefully. Saving your hard earned money is a definite plan!
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