Marilyn Wiers Real Estate Blog

A Few Good Tips to Buying a New Home

 

TIPS FOR BUYING A HOME!

Buy a Home Thinking about buying a home?  We have information that can help!  Got questions?  Talk to one of our housing counselors!
1.  Figure out how much you can afford
What you can afford depends on your income, credit rating, current monthly expenses, downpayment and the interest rate.
-   How much home can you afford?
-   Buying vs. Renting
-   Home Economics
-   Homebuying programs in your state

2.  Know your rights
-   Fair Housing: Equal Opportunity for All- brochure
-   Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)
-   Borrower's rights
-   Predatory lending

3.  Shop for a loan
-   Looking for the best mortgage: shop, compare, negotiate- brochure
-   Let FHA help you
-   Why Ask for an FHA Loan?
-   Learn about interest only loans
-   Avoid Predatory Lenders

4.  Learn about homebuying programs
-   Homebuying programs in your state
-   Let FHA help you (FHA loan programs offer lower downpayments and are a good option for first-time homebuyers!)
-   HUD's special homebuying programs
-   Good Neighbor Next Door(formerly known as Teacher/Officer/Firefighter Next Door)
-   Hurricane Evacuees discounted sales
-   Homeownership for public housing residents
-   Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program(Section 184)

5.  Shop for a home
-   Choose a real estate agent
-   Wish list- what features do you want?
-   Home-shopping checklist- take this list with you when comparing homes
-   Homes for sale(including HUD homes)
-   "Fixer-Uppers - home purchase and repair programs
-   Manufactured (mobile) homes
-   Build a home


6.  Make an offer
-   Making an offer

7.  Get a home inspection
-   For Your Protection Get a Home Inspection
-   10 Questions to ask a home inspector

8.  Shop for homeowners insurance
-   Homeowners insurance
-   12 ways to lower your homeowners insurance costs

9.  Sign papers
You're finally ready to go to "settlement" or "closing." Be sure to read everything before you sign!
-   Settlement Costs and Helpful Information

 

   

 

          

Marilyn Wier ABR, CIPS, CLHMS, CRS, GRI, SRES

RE/MAX Space Center 1150 Clear Lake City Blvd., Suite 100

Houston,TX 77062

Mobile: 713-542-8451 Tel: 281-204-1015 Fax: 281-488-2264

Email: Marilyn@relo2houston.com

Web: www.Relo2Houston.com

"Serving Southeast Houston & Galveston County" "Selling Locally Marketing Globally"

4 comments • Marilyn Wier, ABR, CDPE, CIPS, CLHMS, CRS, SRES • August 25 2010 04:28PM