The Home Search

Begin your home search by finding a good real estate agent. They can help you find a house that fits your budget and your family needs as well as guide you through the home buying process through to the closing.

Searching for a home even with a real estate agent can be both exciting and overwhelming. If you've already been pre-approved for a loan, you will know how much home you can afford. Now, you just need to find the house.

It is sometimes easier to start with a dream list of everything you want in a house – from the neighborhood to the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Divide that list into two: the must-haves and negotiable attributes. If you are a family with two kids, a boy and a girl, on your must have list might be three bedrooms. A negotiable attribute might be a guest bedroom or a large master suite. Is it important to be near the school? Shopping? Work? Or transportation? What is an acceptable distance from each? These are all considerations when searching for a home.

Spend a few weekends going to open houses. The more homes you see, the more you'll learn about what you want and what each house has to offer.

When going through a home, look at it objectively from the outside, inside. Is the home in good condition? What about the other homes in the neighborhood? When you walk in, do you feel comfortable in the home? Are there any visible spots on the walls or ceilings? If so, it could mean water damage. Try to imagine the home with your furnishings in it.