Approaching the home buying process intelligently and with confidence, makes you much more likely to buy a house that you will be proud to call home.

Buying a new home can be overwhelming because there are so many factors to consider. For instance:

• How much can I afford?
• Where do I find the best loan?
• How much do I need for a down payment
• Where will I find the money for a down payment
• Should I buy a new or older house and which will have a better resale value
• Should I look for a new house on my own or enlist a realtor?

Buying a home is one of the largest financial transactions in your lifetime so be sure to do your research so you know what you’re doing.

The two most important things to remember are:

1. You can and must understand everything that is happening in the home buying process – nothing so complex that it can’t be easily explained to anyone with average intelligence. Just because you don’t apply for a 30-year mortgage regularly doesn’t mean you have to take the first one that comes along. You’ll need to learn some new terms, apply some new concepts and take the time to understand what you’re getting into. If, at any point, something happens that doesn’t make sense to you, just ask for a full and complete explanation. If it still doesn’t make sense, get some help from someone you trust, i.e. a friend who has gone through the home buying process, your banker or CPA.
2. In the world of real estate sales, YOU are the most important person in the entire process. It’s easy to think that everyone else carries more weight than you. The truth is that you, the buyer, are the one person in the transaction that makes it all happen. If you decide to not buy, the entire process comes to a grinding halt so flex your muscle and take command of this process. Surround yourself with a team of professionals that you have confidence in and make them work for you. Approach home buying with intelligence and confidence, and by doing your homework, and you are more likely to buy a house you’re happy with and to know that you made the right decision.