Local Buying Tips

  1. Decide how much home you can afford.
  2. Develop a wish list of what you’d like your home to have, then see what you actually need. Select three or four neighborhoods you’d like to live in.
  3. Consider items such as schools, recreational facilities, and safety.
  4. Determine if you have enough saved to cover your down payment and closing costs.
  5. Get your credit in order. Obtain a copy of your credit report.
  6. Determine how large a mortgage you can qualify for by meeting with your mortgage broker.
  7. Organize all the documentation a lender will need to pre-approve you for a loan. Get a pre-qualification letter from your mortgage broker.
  8. Do research to see if you qualify for any special mortgage or down payment-assistance programs.
  9. Calculate the costs of home ownership, including property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and association fees. 
  10. Find an experienced REALTOR® who can help you through the process.