Home Buyers

Home Buyer's Checklist

This home buyer's checklist can help make buying your dream home much easier for you by avoiding common mistakes.

Download the pdf Home Buyer's Checklist here. Download Acrobat Reader

Every home buyer should think about:

1. Determine what fits your budget, your desire, and your family’s needs.

2. Look for an agent who is a “Buyers Agent” and don't be afraid to talk to a few to get that chemistry and to be comfortable with your agent.

3. Get your mortgage pre-approved with a lender. Get a copy of your credit report from the lender, type of mortgage, and what your monthly payment will be.

4. Research the areas you’d like to live in. Check on schools, level of crime, traffic, local neighborhoods, activities for children outside of the classroom, etc. Your agent should have the knowledge and access to help you in this search. Don't be afraid to ask.

5. Have your agent find all the houses within the desired parameters of what your ideal home is.

6. Research the properties that are of the greatest interest to you. Visit the city hall for which the house or houses are located and learn about liens, easements or any other restrictions that might be attached to the property before you buy it.

Now that you've found that home for you and your family it is time to prepare an offer and to negotiate the terms of the deal.

Ask the following questions of the home seller:

1. Are there any other offers on the table?

2. How high is their motivation for selling?

3. Are there any deadlines that you are not aware of that they might have?

4. Be sure your agent puts together a property value study for the property/properties of choice.

5. Always conduct home inspections to ensure the quality of the house.

6. Be sure that your agent prepares you a property value study for the property/properties of choice.

Now it is time for the final negotiations and of course to sign the sale agreement.

1. Use the reports from the inspections that have been done to do any re-negotiations.

2. Take a final look at the inside of the house to ensure that everything is how it should be and it is what you are expecting before you sign the papers on the closing date.

3. Review documents of your loan and sales agreement during the period you are signing to ensure that everything is correct.  Your agent should be with you.