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1
Find a REALTOR® who you can relate to. Home buying is not only a
big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s
critical that the agent you chose is both skilled and a good fit
with your personality.
2
Remember, there’s no
“right” time to buy, any more than there’s a right time to sell.
If you find a home now, don’t try to second-guess the interest
rates or the housing market by waiting. Changes don’t usually
occur fast enough to make that much difference in price, and a
good home won’t stay on the market long.
3
Don’t ask for too many
opinions. It’s natural to want reassurance for such a big
decision, but too many ideas will make it much harder to make a
decision.
4
Accept that no house
is ever perfect. Focus in on the things that are most important to
you and let the minor ones go.
5
Don’t try to be a
killer negotiator. Negotiation is definitely a part of the real
estate process, but trying to “win” by getting an extra-low price
may lose you the home you love.
6
Remember your home
doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Don’t get so caught up in the physical
aspects of the house itself—room size, kitchen—that you forget
such issues as amenities, noise level, etc., that have a big
impact on what it’s like to live in your new home.
7
Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to get
approved for a mortgage, investigate insurance availability, and
consider a schedule for moving. Presenting an offer contingent on
a lot of unresolved issues will make your bid much less attractive
to sellers.
8
Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-home buying
budget. Even if you buy a new home, there will be some costs.
Don’t leave yourself short and let your home deteriorate.
9
Accept that a little buyer’s remorse is inevitable and will
probably pass. Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a
big commitment, but it also yields big benefits.
10
Choose a home first because you love it; then think about
appreciation. While U.S. homes have appreciated an average of 5.4
percent annually over from 1998 to 2002, a home’s most important
role is as a comfortable, safe place to live.
*A REALTOR® is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
REALTORS®.
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