Shopping for a new home can be an emotional experience. It’s also time-consuming and comes with a myriad of details. Some buyers, however, caught up in the excitement of buying a new home can overlook some items. Their home purchase turns into an expensive process. These errors generally fall into two areas:

• Paying too much
• Buying the wrong home

When you have a Realtor you trust and systematic plan before you shop, you’ll be sure to avoid these costly errors. Here are some tips on making the most of your home purchase:

Bidding without sufficient information
What price do you offer a seller? Is the seller’s asking price too high? Is it a deal? Without research on the market and comparable homes, you could spend thousands more than other homes that have sold in the same area. Before an offer is presented to the seller, your Realtor should offer to do a comparative market analysis on the value of the home based on market conditions, condition of the home, and the neighborhood and its amenities. Without knowledge of the market, your offer could be too high.

Buying a mis-matched home
What do you need and want in a home? Sounds simple. Yet, clearly identifying your needs and bringing an objective view to home shopping, leaves you in a better position. Sometimes, home buyers buy a home that is too large or too small. Perhaps they didn’t consider the drive to work, the distance to school, or the many repair jobs waiting for completion. Plan ahead. Use your needs list as a guideline for every home you view.

Unclear title
Before you sign any document, be sure the property you are considering is free of all encumbrances. As part of their services, a realtor can supply you with a copy of the title to ensure there are no liens, debts, undisclosed owners, leases, or easements and restrictive covenants which would affect building a garage or other upgrading plans you have for the property.

Outdated real property report
Before the purchase is completed, an updated survey is essential. This report will indicate boundaries and structural changes (additions to the house, a new swimming pool, neighbor’s new fence which is extending a boundary line, etc.). A survey is the home seller's obligation to provide.

Unexpected repairs
For $300 - $500 a professional inspector will conduct a thorough inspection of the home. This way, you’ll have an idea of the cost of future repairs. Your Realtor will make the final contract subject to a favorable report.

Shopping without pre-approval
It only takes a few hours to a few days to get financing pre-approval. When you are shopping for a home, this gives you more power. A seller is more likely to consider an offer from a serious buyer.

Remember additional closing costs
Besides the funds for the purchase of a home, you’ll need funds for items such as loan fees, home insurance, legal fees, inspections, title insurance, etc.

Rushing the closing
Before you sign, ensure that all documentation clearly reflects your understanding and conditions of the transaction. Has anything been forgotten? Don’t rush. You could lose money, financing, or even the sale.

 First Time Home Buyers  please go to :  www.mikeshafie.com/firsttimehomebuyers

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