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10 Ways to Ease the Home Buying
Process
1. Find a real estate agent 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.
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