good home buying
checklist, like any good ___ Get preapproved. Gather pay
checklist, can make things stubs for the last few months.
go more smoothly. You will have Find recent bank statements, tax
to put your own list together returns, w-2 forms, proof of
according to what your own needs, other income. Ask questions about
but here are some items that will loan options (take notes). Make
be common to most home buying copies of pre-approval letter to
lists. submit with offers.
___ Prepare. Consider not only ___ Start home shopping. Browse
what monthly payment you can online listings. Look in
afford, but how much you want to newspapers, and real estate
afford, given your other goals. guides. Find a real estate agent
Check your credit report and take that is active in the area you
actions to improve your credit are interested in, and with the
score. Make a list of what you types of houses you are looking
want or need in a home, and for. Consider a buyer's agent.
prioritize it in case you can't Explain clearly what you are
get everything. looking for. If the agent shows
you homes that clearly don't fit
___ Choose an area in which to your criteria, fire him. Take
focus your search. What do you notes on homes you see.
need in a town or neighborhood?
Use online resources to ___ Look at the homes. Does the
investigate towns. Check crime home meet your requirements? How
rates online. Investigate does it feel when you walk
schools. Look at local newspapers through it? Look at the
online to get a "feel" for a neighborhood. Ask the agent about
town. any problems the home may have.
Take a photo, or write a contingencies for any necessary
description, so you'll remember inspections.
the home after looking at others.
Ask a lot of questions. Use a ___ Complete the purchase.
home inspection checklist, taking Arrange inspections as soon as
notes to pass on to a the offer is accepted. Satisfy
professional home inspector. any other contingencies in the
offer. Get a loan commitment from
___ Make a decision. Does the a lender. Get a firm closing
home work for you? Find out the date. Buy home owners insurance.
appraised value if possible. Find Get a closing statement. Obtain
out why the seller is selling. the cashiers check for the
How does the home compare to closing.
others you have seen? What is the
home worth to you, based on what ___ Prepare for the move. Once
you know of values at this point? closing is certain, arrange for
Ask the agent if there have been transfer of utilities to your
other offers, and what happened name. Mail change of address
with them. forms to post office. Start
packing. Hire a mover. Transfer
___ Make an offer. Have the agent prescriptions. Get kids
help, but don't reveal your registered in new schools.
thoughts on possible
negotiations. Write your earnest As a final item on your home
money check to an agency, or the buying checklist, check out
real estate broker if they have everything thoroughly when you
an escrow account. Be clear in arrive at your new home. It
the offer as to what stays with should be in the same (or better)
the home. Specify who will pay condition as when you made the
for each closing cost. Include offer.
About the Author:
Copyright Steve Gillman. See a photo of the house we bought for $17,500 (home page), get a Home Inspection Checklist, and more, at: http://www.housesunderfiftythousand.com/home-inspection-checklist.html
Read more articles by:
Steve Gillman
Article Source: www.iSnare.com 
