Tips For Buyers

• Don’t overbuy the first time.  A life where almost every dime of your earnings goes to the support of your house wears thin very quickly and causes family stress.
  
  
• Compare you mortgages.  Find the one that meets your requirements and finances.
  
  
• Get mortgage pre-approval.  This will give you a price range to look in and will strengthen your future offer.  Make sure your monthly payments, including the principal, interest, taxes and insurance are within your comfort level.  Remember your new home may require unexpected repairs and that “life happens”, so be sure to maintain a cash cushion to cover unexpected expenses.
  
  
• Determine your most important needs and most desired wants in order to select a home that meets the majority of them.
  
  
• Visit the house you are considering making an offer on more than once, preferably at different times of the day.  This will allow you to really get the feel of the home and the neighborhood.
  
  
• Remain objective and remember that paint and some relatively minor changes, such as a new light fixture or kitchen hardware, might go a long way to make a house fit your style.  Try not to let the current owner’s décor and possessions affect your opinion of the house itself.