HOW TO BUY A HOME

DECIDING TO BUY
Today, home buyers have more choices than ever before.  You can choose financing options that are flexible and affordable, home styles that are flexible and affordable, home styles that fit a variety of lifestyles, and professional services that make the process fast, effective and enjoyable. 

CHOOSING A PROFESSIONAL REALTOR
-Choose a sales professional who have specific knowledge of the local real estate and mortgage knowledge.
-Choose a sales professional who will listen to you.  Your sales professional should be interested enough in you to find out about you and your housing needs and preferences.
-Choose a sales professional who puts service first.  Remember strong customer service is key in today's real estate business.
- Commit yourself to working with a sales professional who can learn your likes and dislikes in homes and make your home-buying process much easier.

UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH HOUSE YOU CAN AFFORD?
Most people have a general idea of how much they feel comfortable spending.  It is also important how much the lender calculates how much you can afford.  Call on your sales professional for help during the prequalifications process.

DECIDE WHAT TYPE OF HOUSE YOU WANT
Define your needs, taste and preferences for your new home.  By discussing this now, you will save plenty of time in the house-hunting process.  A good sales professional will assist you with this every step of the way.

CHOOSING A NEIGHBORHOOD
Remember bricks and boards may determine the cost of a home, but a neighborhood determines value.

PICKING THE RIGHT HOME
A sales professional will show you the homes that meet your needs and weed out the ones that don't.  She/he will make arrangements for you to see the homes that match your requirements, so your time will be well spent.  Always record your impressions about the homes you visit.

MAKING YOUR PURCHASE
When you find the perfect home, your sales professional will take you through a step-by-step process to make the purchase. 

PROTECTING YOURSELF
Two things can add to your peace of mind as you enter the final stages of home buying: home inspections and home warranties.
Hire a professional inspector to inspect the home prior to closing, it can lessen the chance for surprises.  A home warranty can protect sellers before the closing and buyers after the closing against failure of major home systems during the warranty period.

UNDERSTAND FINANCING OPTIONS

Conventional Financing
Conventional mortgages are labeled as such to differentiate them from governmental-backed loans, such as FHA or VA loans.

ARMs
The interest rate on an adjustable-rate mortgage changes throughtout the term to stay current with present interest rates.  ARMs are current with present interest rates.  ARMs are most popular when rates are relatively high and appear to be dropping and when the difference between the ARM and fixed-rate is greater than 2 to 3 percent.

Standard fixed-rate mortgages
This traditional mortgage option is a loan with a constant interest rate and level and equal payments during a set period of time.  These loans are predictable and particularly suited to people with steady incomes.  These mortgages are most competitive against the adjustable-rate mortgage when their rates are less than 1.5 percentage points apart.

FHA-insured loans
The Federal Housing Authority will insure a mortgage on a new or existing single-family house for up to 97 percent of the property value.  Down payments on FHA-mortgages are low, and the loans are assumable.

VA-guaranteed loans
The Veterans Administration guarantees lenders against loss if a property is foreclosed due to default.  These loans are available to eligible veterans and may be used to buy, refinance, construct or repair house.

For The Complete HOW TO BUY A HOME brochure contact:
Keisha Tompkins @ 770-843-8184 (Direct) or 404-843-8184 (Office) today!
Visit my website @  www.keishasells.com    Email Me @   www.keisha.tompkins@metrobrokers.com