So you want to buy a home?

We share a few good tips before you do

Before you buy a house, call around and see if a local community agency offers a course on home ownership. If so, take it; you won't regret it.

Don't allow yourself to be pressured by the seller or the real estate agent. Take your time. Make a list of the positive reasons for buying the house. Make a list of the negative reasons for buying the house. This is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Don't make it too quickly.

An appraisal report tells you the market value of a property. Get your own certified appraiser to prepare an appraisal report for you. You should be able to get an appraisal report for about $175 and it's worth it. Don't simply accept the appraisal provided the lender who gives you a mortgage.

If you can't afford an appraisal, go to the County Clerk's Office and research what homes have been selling for in the neighborhood. Or call a real estate agent and ask what homes have been selling for in the neighborhood. In addition, your local librarian may be able to assist you in searching real estates values on the Internet. Don't assume that the asking price is a good price.

Get a home inspection. Find out ahead of time if the home needs repairs. Don't find out that your roof leaks only after you have moved into the house. A home inspection may cost $225 but it's worth it.

There are many sources online to help you, click here:



If you can't afford a home inspection, find a friend who has some construction knowledge to tour the house with you.

Don't simply accept the representations of the seller or real estate agent. They make money only if the home is sold. Do your own homework. No one will protect your interests but you.

If the seller is holding the mortgage, make sure the interest rate is reasonable compared to the rate that the larger banks are charging.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Buying a home isn't an every day experience. Bring a friend along.

Use an attorney.

Helpful Reading

Visit Our Featured Home Value Resources

What is my home worth is something we all ask before selling or getting ready to refinance a mortgage. If you are here simply to find out the current house values of your property, then be sure to visit this page that will give you the current values in your neighborhood. If you're not ready to search for a comparative market analysis or look for house appraisals in person, you can receive a free home value report online by filling out our simple online form that will give you an estimate on the worth of your property.

We'll try to provide as much helpful info as we can before you decide to refinance your house, with so many choices it can be hard. Many home owners search online for information to refinance a mortgage but don't know where to start, or who to ask. We can also provide you with a way to refinance your mortgage online using our secure form that will help you get started.

If you want to increase the value for your property with home improvement that you can do yourself, we'll provide hints, tips and some suggested reading to help you increase house values before you sell. We have quite a few excellent books for sale on the subject, in addition to other resources to help you get started on home repairs or improvements.

Once your have sold your house you may be in the market to find homes for sale in your area. Well, what if you are a first time buyer and are looking for help? Or maybe you have bought a home before, but want to do it right this time. We'll do our best to set you on the right path with links and up to date information for the modern home buyer.

If you already know you want to sell, you're going to need to find a real estate agent to sell your home. Feel free to use our resources and find a qualified agent who is eager to sell your house at the highest possible price and shares the same values as yourself. We give you access to a large database of qualified real estate agents who want to help you sell.