So you want to buy a home? Call me!

A FEW TIPS FOR HOME BUYERS 

1. Don't buy if you can't stay put.

If you can't commit to remaining in one place for at least a few years, then owning is probably not for you, at least not yet. With the transaction costs of buying and selling a home, you may end up losing money if you sell any sooner - even in a rising market. When prices are falling, it's an even worse proposition.

2. Start by cleaning up your credit.

Since you most likely will need to get a mortgage to buy a house, you must make sure your credit history is as clean as possible. A few months before you start house hunting, get copies of your credit report. Make sure the facts are correct, and fix any problems you discover.

3. Aim for a home you can really afford.

The rule of thumb is that you can buy housing that runs about two-and-one-half times your annual salary. But you'll do better to use one of many calculators available online to get a better handle on how your income, debts, and expenses affect what you can afford. Just because a lender says you will qualify for a larger mortgage doesn't mean it is a good idea.  Take into consideration your future financial goals and expenses you may have.

4. If you can't put down the usual 20 percent, you may still qualify for a loan.

There are a variety of public and private lenders who, if you qualify, offer low-interest mortgages that require a small down payment.

5. Buy in a district with good schools.

In most areas, this advice applies even if you don't have school-age children. Reason: When it comes time to sell, you'll learn that strong school districts are a top priority for many home buyers, thus helping to boost property values. Location, location, location.....

6. Get professional help.  

Even though the Internet gives buyers unprecedented access to home listings, buyers are better off enlisting a REALTOR . Look for an Accredited Buyer's Agent who knows the market and will have your interests at heart to help you with strategies during the bidding process.

7. Choose carefully between points and rate.

When picking a mortgage, you usually have the option of paying additional points -- a portion of the interest that you pay at closing -- in exchange for a lower interest rate. If you stay in the house for a long time -- say three to five years or more -- it's usually a better deal to take the points. The lower interest rate will save you more in the long run.

8. Before house hunting, get pre-approved.

Getting pre-approved will you save yourself the grief of looking at houses you can't afford and put you in a better position to make a serious offer when you do find the right house. Not to be confused with pre-qualification, which is based on a cursory review of your finances, pre-approval from a lender is based on your actual income, debt and credit history. Most sellers will request a copy of a pre-approval letter from your lender prior to considering your offer to purchase their property.

9. Do your homework before bidding.

Your opening bid should be based on the sales trend of similar homes in the neighborhood. Your buyer's agent will provide you with Comparative Market Analysis of the neighborhood.  Before making an offer, consider the sales price per square foot of comparable homes that have sold in the last 6 months.

10. Hire a licensed home inspector.

Sure, your lender will require a home appraisal anyway. But that's just the bank's way of determining whether the house is worth the price you've agreed to pay. Separately, you should hire your own home inspector, preferably an engineer with experience in doing home inspections in the area where you are buying. His or her job will be to find items in need of repair or replacement, and point out potential problems that could require costly repairs down the road. Also it is wise to have a WDI (Wood Destroying Insect) inspection done by a pest control specialist.