8 Steps to Buying a Home
Shop for a home
With your mortgage preapproval in place, you are ready to shop for your new home. You can check online and your local newspaper for homes for sale in your area. A real estate professional can help you find a home that meets your needs and your budget. A licensed agent has access to the Multiple Listings Service, MLS, which generally offers the most comprehensive list of homes for sale.When shopping for a home, evaluate its condition. If the house needs a great deal of work, you’ll need to consider the extra cost involved if you decide to make an offer. Look at:
- Landscaping (Is it nice, or will you need to replace?)
- Paint (Condition of interior and exterior?)
- Windows (When where they installed? Do they need to be replaced)
- Roof (When was the roof installed? Does it need to be replaced?
Does it leak?) - Appliances (Are they included? Age? Do they work?)
- Floor coverings (Do you want carpeting or hardwood? Do they need to be replaced?)
- Heating and cooling systems (Age of systems? Efficiency of systems? Do they need to be replaced?)
- Water (Is there sufficient pressure? Is it supplied by the city or by a well?)
Other questions to ask the seller’s agent:
- Why is the home for sale?
- How long has the home been on the market?
- Have there been any offers?
How they answer could help you in negotiating. The answers could also tell you if the property is overpriced or has some problems that aren’t immediately noticeable. If you are seriously considering a home, make sure that a professional inspection and appraisal is completed.
Choose a real estate agent.
Wish list/What features do you want?
Home shopping checklist