Buying A Home Inspection Checklist » Buying A Home Checklist
House Buying Checklist
The following house buying checklist will keep you from forgetting something important, and help make the whole process a little less chaotic. Use it as is, or use it to put together your own list according to your own requirements.
___ Preparation. How much monthly payment can you afford? How much you want to afford? Get answers to these questions. Look at your credit report, and take actions to improve your credit score. Make a list of what you want or need in a home, prioritizing each item in case you can't get everything you want.
___ Narrow the search. What do you need to be comfortable? Use online resources to investigate towns, and to check on crime rates and schools. Read various local newspapers online to get a "feel" for a town. Already know the town you'll be moving to? Start driving around to see which neighborhoods suit you.
___ Get pre-approved. Get your pay stubs, recent bank statements, tax returns, w-2 forms, and proof of other income together, and visit several lenders. Bring a list of questions about your loan options, and take notes. Make copies of any pre-approval letters you get. Submit these with your offers, so the seller knows you are able to follow through.
___ Start shopping. Use online listings, newspapers, and real estate guides. Find a real estate agent that's active in the neighborhoods you like, and sells the types of houses you want. Consider using a buyer's agent. Be very clear about what you want. When an agent repeatedly shows you homes that don't fit your criteria, find a new agent.
___ Visit those houses. Have a good list of questions with you. Does the home have what you need and want? Does it feel good? Is the neighborhood nice? What problems are there? Notes and a photo will help you remember the home if you're looking at many others. Bring a home inspection checklist, so you can take notes to pass along to a professional home inspector later.
___ Make a decision. Look at six or more homes before writing an offer. Does this house fit your criteria? How does it compare to others? What's the appraised value, or the value indicated by the tax assessor? Why is it being sold? Were there other offers, and what happened with them?
___ Make an offer. Keep your negotiating thoughts to yourself. Make the earnest money check out to an escrow agent (or the real estate broker if they have an escrow account). Be clear in the offer about what stays with the home, and who will pay for what. Put contingencies in the offer for any necessary inspections or loan approvals.
___ Close the deal. Have inspections done after the offer is accepted, watching the deadlines in the contract. Get a written loan commitment from a lender. Agree to and set a closing date. Buy home owners insurance. Obtain a copy of the closing statement before closing day. Get a cashiers check.
___ Move in. Once a closing date is certain, transfer utilities. Change your address. Pack your things. Hire a mover. Transfer prescriptions. Register kids in the new schools.
___ One final item on your house buying checklist: check things out thoroughly when you arrive at your new home. The house should be in the same or better condition as the day you made your offer.
Copyright Steve Gillman. See a photo of the house we bought for $17,500 (home page), get a Home Inspection Checklist, and more, at: http://www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com
Source: www.articlesphere.com