| Buying a new home is an exciting event. It's also | | | | This goes for a brand new home, and older |
| one that requires a lot of details - some big, some | | | | home, a home with "lots of upgrades". Check |
| small. But if you miss any of the details, they | | | | every little detail. Just by finding something wrong |
| could cost you money. | | | | doesn't mean it has to be a deal-breaker. But the |
| 1-Keep in mind the smaller costs and fees: | | | | more you know about the home you are buying, |
| It's easy to focus on the selling price of the | | | | the better. Because after the sale, unless the |
| house. Those are the big numbers you can't miss. | | | | sellers deliberately hide something serious (even |
| But there are also plenty of other small costs | | | | then, try proving it) it's your problem once you |
| involved when buying a house. So make sure to | | | | get the keys. Make sure to hire a qualified |
| ask lots of questions during the buying process, | | | | inspector to check the home for you. It's well |
| and keep in mind that you'll usually need to have a | | | | worth the cost. And follow the inspector around. |
| small fund set aside for before and after the sale. | | | | Check every scratch, dent, drop of water, light |
| There's the inspection. Then the closing costs. | | | | switch - you name it, make sure it either works, |
| Then there is the home insurance. And all of the | | | | or gets listed in the inspection report. |
| monthly costs of running a home. Not that these | | | | 4-Don't get caught up in the sales trap: |
| should turn you away from buying your first | | | | Remember, you're buying. Everyone else is selling |
| house. But don't stretch yourself so thin with the | | | | something. So while they may be there to help |
| selling price that you forget about all the other | | | | you, they are in it for the money. This includes |
| costs involved. | | | | your realtor, the sellers realtor, the inspector, the |
| 2-Always read any paperwork you must sign: | | | | lawyer, the mortgage lender - everyone involved |
| This should go without saying, but I'll say it | | | | has their own interests to watch out for first. |
| anyway - read EVERYTHING before you sign it. | | | | Most of them will be professional and do the job |
| Sure, most documents will be written in legal | | | | they are hired to do in a professional manner. But |
| "mumbo jumbo" but read it any way. And ask | | | | realize every benefit presented to you, is also a |
| about things you don't understand. Look for | | | | benefit for them. So ask lots of questions. Don't |
| hidden costs. And your rights to cancel a contract | | | | assume anything. And watch out for your own |
| if things go wrong. Because it doesn't matter how | | | | best interests. |
| badly you get burned, it will all come down to | | | | 5-Get professional help: |
| what's in writing. Even if you don't pay for it. For | | | | No matter what anyone tells you, hire a realtor to |
| example, if you hire a realtor to help you buy the | | | | help you buy the house. It is usually not a legal |
| home, and they turn out to be duds, if you sign a | | | | requirement, but it's a great way to protect |
| contract you may still have to use them anyway. | | | | yourself. There are so many details to consider |
| You can never be too careful. | | | | when buying a house, that having someone help |
| 3-Check everything in the house carefully: | | | | you manage all the details is invaluable. |