Home Hunting Tips

• 10 Steps to Ownership
• Featured Communities
• Search the MLS
• Search Bank Owned Homes
• Search Short Sale Homes
• Search Golf Homes
• Search Homes with a Pool
• Search Waterfront Homes
• Home Hunting Tips
• Selecting the Right Area

• Get a pre-qualification from a lender to determine how much home you can afford, and stick to the budget. Contrary to popular belief, sellers are not giving homes away out of desperation, so don't waste time looking over and above your means.
• Find a REALTOR®. They'll have many more listings than you can find on your own, know about your area f choice, and will look out for your best interests when it comes time to offer on a home.
• Don't be disappointed if the homes in your price range are different from what you had in mind. While you may not be able to afford the home that "has it all" right now, you will build equity in an affordable home that may provide you with the financial ability to buy the bells and whistles later.
• List what you really need in a home before listing your wants. How important is a pool vs. a larger home for planning a family or needing a home office? Your price range may not support both.
• Don't forget to factor in the total cost of the home. Look at the full cost of the house when making your decision- are there homeowner association fees? Is the house old, requiring a lot of maintenance? Be sure to factor these in when determining the true cost of the home.
• Concentrate on a few neighborhoods. Decide what's most important to you about the neighborhood and don't forget to keep commuting times in mind.
• Take pictures inside and outside the home to compare features of each home viewed and to help in the elimination process.
• Ask the seller about utility and maintenance costs.
• Don't make a "spur-of-the-moment" decision.