Plan ahead. |
Establish good credit and save as much as you can for the down payment and closing costs, if any. |
Get pre-approved before you start looking. |
Not only do real estate agents prefer working with pre-approved buyers, you'll have more negotiating power and an edge over homebuyers who are not pre-approved. |
Know what you really want in a home. |
How long will you live there? Is your family growing? What are the schools like? How long is your commute? Consider every angle before diving in. |
Make a reasonable offer. |
To determine a fair value on the home, ask your real estate agent for a comparative market analysis listing all the sales prices of other houses in the neighborhood. |
Don't add to your debt during the buying process. |
If you increase your debt by financing a new car, boat, furniture or other large purchase, it could prevent you from qualifying. |
Timing is everything. |
If you already own a home, you may need to sell your current home to qualify for a new one. If you're renting, simply time the move to the end of the lease. |
