A Buyer's Guide to Making the Right Choice

Buying a home can be a frustrating venture. But it doesn't have to be.

If you follow these guidelines as well as others on the "Zillow Real Estate Guide" your search for the place you will call home can be a pleasant one.

To streamline your house hunting trip to locate the trophy home you must prepare for your hunt. 

The weapons you will want for your excursion to be a success:

• Create a budget of your current house hold expenses and income.
• Get pre-qualified for a mortgage.
• Create a wish list of your family's needs.
• Research the areas you plan on hunting. Make a radius map of your targeted area, and how far from the bullseye you are willing to hunt.
• Hire a Licensed Professional "Realtor" or Builder guide. Do your research on your hunting guide through the local "Realtor" or Builder Associations. Check with the local "Better Business Bureau." Utilize a questionnaire and rating system to locate the best guide that meets your needs. Check with previous clients of the Agent or Builder. Present your wish list to your hunting guide.
• Scope the homes from the outside before scheduling a tour of each home.
• Don't hunt merely with emotions. Emotions will result in a cloudy hunt, be bright and do your due diligence.
• With so many choices of homes on the market, do keep a hunting journal (walk-through checklist) of each trophy you see. This will help to alleviate return refresher hunts.
• Utilize a rating program to narrow your hunt down to the trophy that best meets the families needs. Rate the homes separately as you tour. As each of you rate a home, decide on the 5-10 features that are most important to you, together. Combine the individuals ratings (if you are a couple), and rank each home accordingly. Discard the non trophy ratings and cross them off your hunting list. Narrow the list to the top three trophy's you would like to bag. Start with your top ranked trophy with two backup choices.
• Load up your purchase agreement for the offer. Your hunting guide is your best protection from the elements. Include an inspection clause. Don't be surprised or disappointed if your target ducks your offer. Negotiation is part of house hunting. It never hurts to seek legal advice at this point.
• Once your offer is accepted, do have the home inspected by a licensed inspector. Review the report with your guide.
• Your guide will help you with the best steps to proceed to the closing to turn your house hunt into your trophy home.

Utilize a Moving Guide to streamline your final destination move.

Bottom line, do your homework as Mom always said!

Resources

Rateahome.com