Tips for Buying a Home

Advice for Purchasing your own Home

There are many considerations to think about if you are a single mother and you want to buy a home. If all things were perfect, and you qualified for a mortgage loan, consider the following ideas:

• If you are able to consider buying a home, townhouse or condo that is fantastic. Your hard work and savings have finally paid off. Carefully think of the town, city and the specific neighborhood in which you and your family would feel comfortable, safe and happy. Keep in mind bus routes, schools and your job or school. If you plan to move elsewhere have a look at How to Research New Communities or Neighborhoods.
  
• Get as much information as you can about the homes in the area you have chosen. Gather all newspapers, community newsletters and brochures, make a list and then check for any Open Houses for that area. MLS.com is an excellent online source of information about houses for sale and all you have to do is provide the name of the town and state. Then set a price parameter from the lowest to highest which you can afford. This site will give you a list and pictures with descriptions of the home.
  
• Attend any sales office or Open Houses for the homes on your favorites list. Carefully look at the amenities of the home, hardware and construction of the home and lot size. If there is an inspection report, carefully read over the report and get an estimate of how much work or repairs have to be done on this house. Make lists and take pictures so you can review your findings in the comfort of your own home.
  
• Then narrow down your list to include what you want in your Dream Home. If you have one child, you can get by with two bedrooms but for any additional children, they will need more bedrooms. Is your home in a nice safe neighborhood and near parks and schools? Figure out everything you will want in your purchase.
  
• Now that you are ready to consider a purchase in earnest, ask your friends or neighbors for a referral to a professional real estate agent and lawyer. The agent can help you to organize the homes, take you through the ones still on the market and assist you with the paperwork in putting in an offer. The lawyer is responsible for making sure that the home does not have any liens or outstanding bills against it. He/ She will ensure that you fill in the paperwork for the purchase legally and will do the necessary background checks. Make sure you have a reputable agent and lawyer with references.
  
• Put an offer in on the house you have finally chosen. Your agent and lawyer can do that with you, so the wording and price is correct. State whichever assets you want left with the house such as appliances or light fixtures. There are likely many homes for sale in today’s economy so that will put you in the driver’s seat. Make sure you have been pre-approved in writing for a certain amount of money and stay within that guideline but don’t be afraid to dicker with a more expensive house which has been on the market for a long time. Foreclosed or short sale homes are also worth a look as long as they are in good repair and won’t cost too much to fix up.