Buy a Home - You've done your homework and seen what
the market has to offer - now it's decision time.
Choosing a Home
Choosing which home to purchase is the critical phase of your search
- make sure the house is right for you before deciding to buy. Consider
your wish list, the location, and the price when making your final decision.
Consider the Neighborhood
You've already researched the community (we hope!) in general terms
- now it's time to take one last look at the neighborhood to make
sure it's the right place for your family. Consider your route to
work, the local shopping - anything that affects your lifestyle and
daily routine.
Check the Details
Make sure the house is right for your family and lifestyle. Will
your furniture work out? Is the yard big enough? Does the layout work
well for your family's routine? Check through your wish list and notes
to make sure you're not forgetting anything.
Research Multi-Family Units
There are some specific concerns involving multi-family housing.
If you're seriously considering this type of home make sure that you
do the research so you know what you're getting. Review our multi-family
housing checklist if you are planning to buy a condo or townhouse.
Don't Buy if You're Not Sure
Don't buy a home out of frustration or impatience - this is a major
investment and it should be treated as such. If the market is strong
or your standards prove to be unreasonable you may need to revise
your expectations before continuing the search.
Be Wary of Overheated Markets
Think carefully before getting into a bidding war or buying a home with
a hyper-inflated price. Extreme sellers' markets can develop when national
and local economic conditions are exceptionally strong. During these periods
prices can rise dramatically and buyers can be pressured into taking aggressive
— and often irresponsible — actions. Be careful, however, as these strong
periods are inevitably followed by severe corrections. Homeowners buying
at peak periods often find themselves with substantial paper losses —
a condition that can take years of normal appreciation to correct.