Buying a home

In the last few months I have mentioned more than once that it is a good time to purchase a home.  If it's been awhile since your last purchase or if this is your first purchase; here is a list of things that you must do as you start this process...

1. GET QUALIFIED!  You need to know what you can afford.  A mortgage broker/lender will be able to give you the amount you can spend and what your monthly payment would be.

2. Pick a LOCATION!  Without knowing where you want to live - you will be floundering for quite some time.  If you are new to the Phoenix area, choose a distance from where you work and use that as a radius for the circle you want to stay within.  If you are a newcomer - it is good to see a few different areas then pick your favorite and stick with it.

3. Decide how many bedrooms and bathrooms you need.  Also, do you need a formal living room with separate family room?  Do you want the master split from the other bedrooms?  Do you need a formal dining room?  Garage or carport?  Here's where you need to get specific on what you can and can not live with.

4. How many square feet should the house be?  How big does the lot need to be?  Pool or no pool?

5. Do you need a turn-key home or can you have a fix-up home?  You need to know yourself and your spouse for this question.  Do you have the skills, money and time to fix up a home?  If you work a lot, aren't good with a hammer and don't have extra money after purchasing the home - turn-key home is probably your answer.

6. What age home do you want?  New build?  Barely lived in?  Or do you like the 70's style ranch homes?  Do you want to look at bank owned homes?  Short sales? Or do you want to buy from an actual owner-occupied home?

With so many homes on the market, buyers tend to think it will be very easy to find a home.  It can be, but you will need to define what you are looking for and where.  Without a clear definition and direction you will be looking at a lot of homes, burning a lot of gas, and using up a lot of time.  If you are ready to buy- answer the above questions and then call a Realtor (ME!).

Have a great week.

Jenny B