| Buying a house is the most important step you | | | | dreams. It is time to make an offer: Use your |
| take in your life, and often one of the most | | | | research to determine if you have yourself a |
| rewarding things you'll do. The process of buying | | | | good deal and should you think that the asking |
| your first home can often be daunting but luckily | | | | price is to high, be prepared to defend it with |
| for you, there are experts to guide your through | | | | your research. This is a crucial part of the home |
| the whole process. Here are some crucial steps to | | | | buying process and you shouldn't let anyone push |
| follow: | | | | you into making a decision. |
| 1. Find Out What Your Budget Is | | | | 6. Negotiate the Best Price |
| The first step to buying a home is to find out | | | | A seller can respond in different ways to your |
| how much home you can afford. Review your | | | | offer. He/She can accept your offer, counter bid |
| monthly income, expenses and savings. Always | | | | or go back to the asking price. Don't give in to |
| remember that as a first time buyer you would | | | | easily and if it seems to good to be true, you |
| need a substantial amount of cash in hand to | | | | must trust that the inspection will show you the |
| settle a deposit and/or closing costs. | | | | hidden problems. Once you've agreed on a price it |
| 2. Get Your Loan Pre-Approved | | | | is time to sign the contract. You might have to |
| Having a pre-approved loan basically means your | | | | put down a deposit - in which case you must |
| credit files have been reviewed and the loan | | | | make sure the contract states that you can get |
| officers believes you can readily qualify for a | | | | the money back when you withdraw your offer. |
| given loan amount with one or more mortgage | | | | 7. Get an Inspection |
| providers. A letter will be given to you showing | | | | Let you agent recommend a trustworthy |
| your borrowing power, which can be used to | | | | inspector. If there are any repairs to be made, |
| show agents or sellers that you are a serious | | | | remember to get the inspector in again once the |
| buyer. | | | | amendments have been made. Don't try to cut |
| 3. Do Research on the Area | | | | corners on this step - it might be very costly. |
| Once you have chosen an area that seems right | | | | 8. Close the Deal |
| for you, you can start doing the necessary | | | | The most exciting part of the process is when |
| research. Find out what houses are going for in | | | | the key to the house gets handed to you. Lots |
| the area and make sure you can identify with the | | | | of paperwork need to be completed but your |
| community in the area. It is better to go see the | | | | agent will guide your through the process. Have a |
| area for yourself, for you might miss crucial | | | | bottle of champagne ready! |
| information should you only rely on information | | | | 9. Move In |
| provided by the Internet or other resources. | | | | You are now ready to move into your first home. |
| 4. Find an Agent | | | | Get a trustworthy moving company and make |
| There is no shortage when it comes to estate | | | | sure to do the necessary cleaning before the |
| agents in most parts of the world. The more | | | | moving truck arrives. Thorough planning will make |
| popular or sought after an area is, the more | | | | this an easy and exciting day. |
| agents you will find. It is important to find | | | | 10. Manage your Investment |
| someone you trust and who you feel comfortable | | | | Your house is your investment and you need to |
| with. The right agent can save you a lot of time | | | | guard it with your live. You would be wise to get |
| and money. | | | | fire, theft and liability insurance. It is wise to |
| 5. Make an Offer | | | | upgrade your house by putting in a pool or adding |
| So you've done your research and you found an | | | | a room, but always make sure you speak to the |
| agent who helped you find the home of your | | | | experts before you make any decisions. |