Tips for new Buyers

Before you start looking for a home you should ask yourself a few questions:

• Where do you want to live? Do you want to be close to schools, shopping or work? Are you interested in rural living vs city living?
• What kind of house would you like (need)? Are you looking for a particular style? How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you want? Do you want a yard? Do you want a "fixer-upper" or "move-in" ready?
• How much house can you afford? Have you consulted a mortgage lender to determine the size of the mortgage you would be comfortable with? 

Additional tips to get you started:

• Pull a credit report on yourself and make sure the information is accurate. If you find any errors take steps to correct them immediately.
• Browse the internet for real estate. This will give you a good feel for the types of homes that are on the market and what they cost.
• Start saving money - you'll need to have cash on hand for a down payment and closing costs. Contrary to what some buyer think, you will need cash up front. Buyers cannot expect sellers to "finance" all of their expenses. 
• Don't incur any additional debt. Pay down your credit cards - and don't apply for any new ones. Don't make any major purchases on credit. Once you are pre-qaulified do not purchase major ticket itmes on credit. It can signicantly change what you are qualified to borrow.