If you've never purchased a home before, or if you're thinking of moving to a new one the following tips will help you to outline the steps needed to get started. Don’t forget that there are helpful professionals to help you along the way:

• SELECT an agent with whom you can identify, trust, share confidences, feel comfortable and who will go the extra mile for you. Ask for references. Have your agent explain the search process. Who you select often determines how successful your home search will be. Then...
  
  
• IDENTIFY to the best of your ability the important elements of your "dream house". Clearly identify your resources to be applied to the purchase (i.e., savings, cash from the sale of your present home, stocks, bonds, gifts from family, etc.). Remember, be open and honest. A good agent is not out to squander your resources. Then...
  
  
• MANAGE the process. There is absolutely no reason why home buying should be anything but fun and exciting. It is an adventure and a new beginning. Take charge and control the process to meet your need. Expect your agent to assist and counsel you. Then...
  
  
• PLANNING is essential. Plan your resources to be invested in a new home. Plan to spend a reasonable amount of time reviewing a reasonable number of properties. Plan to negotiate toward a win/win purchase. Plan for success and setbacks. Plan to reach your goal. Then...
  
  
• LEARN what is available at what cost in which neighborhoods? What financing alternatives are available to you? What neighborhood amenities are present? What amenities are really important to you in a home and neighborhood? Then...
  
  
• EXPECT decision-making time. Expect to spend time and energy talking and thinking about which home is best. Expect to negotiate the contract. Expect your agent to keep you informed. Expect your agent to assist you to the best of his/her ability. Expect SUCCESS!!!

Reminders:

Before you start house hunting, it would be helpful to know how much home you can afford. A good real estate agent can usually make some quick calculations and give you a ballpark estimate of the amount of a loan you are most likely to obtain. A lender may also "pre-qualify" you with a similar estimate. However, their ability to pre-qualify you in this manner is no guarantee you will be able to obtain a loan.

A brief appointment with a lender can get you pre-approved for the maximum amount of mortgage you can obtain. This procedure includes running a credit check and verifying your income and expenses. Your lender may then provide you with a certificate of approval for the amount of the loan for which you qualify.

Armed with this information, you and your Realtor can start hunting for your new home with confidence. Your Realtor will be able to save you a great deal of time by searching for homes that meet your needs in your price range. You will also be in an excellent bargaining position when it comes to negotiating the best price for the home you choose. Pre-approval of a mortgage can also help your transaction move forward to a speedy close.