Take the Trauma out of Buying

 1.  Find a real estate agent that's well-matched with you.  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.  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.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY NAME AND PHONE NUMBER

WITH ANYONE NEEDING REAL ESTATE ASSISTANCE