Pick the Neighborhood First:
All too often home seekers get excited about a
home they see in an ad. Or, they hear about one with a great price, special
financing, a bonus or some other unique feature like a 3-car garage. Then
they want to go running right out and see this beauty and maybe write a
contract on it.
A lucky break? A smart move? Or, a problem?
Most of the time all they have found is a bad deal and, at best, wasted a lot
of their time (and probably an agent's time) in the process. There is always a
reason why a deal sounds and/or looks so good on the surface but upon closer
inspection is not. The reason usually is location. Remember the old saying?
Location - Location - Location.
The best approach is to:
1) Know your budget (get pre-approved);
2) Choose a desirable subdivision (location)
within your budget;
3) Then pick the best home in that subdivision.
A good Realtor, preferably a Buyer's Agent
(ABR) can help with all three of these basic steps. He can recommend a lender.
He can provide information on price ranges and properties for sale in any
subdivision. And then, he can help you make your home selection after you have
chosen the best location.
First Published 5/4/00 (1/1)
