If all the signs are right, the real estate market is on the rise again. So for all of you buyers out there who have been waiting for the “bottom” now is the time to act because you might find yourself having an “uh oh” moment when the best buys are snapped up by more astute buyers. Barbara Pronin, a RISMedia columnist has some good points in the following article.
Happy Shopping,
Jeanette Holland
RISMedia’s Newsfeed
5 Tips Every Home Shopper Should Know
By Barbara Pronin, RISMedia Columnist
RISMEDIA, January 5, 2010—So you’ve saved up some money, worked on your credit score, and diligently kept track of the marketplace. But buying a home remains the single most important financial decision most people will make, and what’s most important in a home for one family may not fill the bill for another.
If you think it’s time to get serious about choosing a home and buying, here are five tips from the National Association of Realtors to help you settle on the right home for you:
Know what you want – Write down the housing characteristics that are most important to you. Is it the number of bedrooms and/or bathrooms? Overall condition? Proximity to shopping, schools or public transportation? As you house shop, keep a careful list of the pros and cons of every house you see.
Browse online first – There are many websites that list homes for sale. Browsing online will help you compare neighborhoods, price ranges, trends and characteristics that you should know before you get in your car. Try Realtor.com or the websites of Realtors in your area.
Work with a pro – A real estate professional will represent your best interests, and can make a real difference in locating your dream home, negotiating the price, and working with you through the closing process. Get recommendations from friends and choose a full time agent with a good website and experience in your neighborhood of choice.
Search out the details – An online listing only tells you so much about a house. Check with police and school districts in the areas that interest you before you make a final decision.
Stay on top of the market – You need to know when a property has a price cut or when a new listing comes on the market. Email alerts from Realtor.com and/or your agent’s website will help keep you up-to-date so you can act quickly when the time comes.
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