Buying a home can be a rewarding life experience, as well as a great investment. But having a successful purchase requires some education and research. For first time homebuyers especially, you'll save yourself a lot of frustration--and maybe even money--if you start with a few simple steps.

Summary Points
1.    Be honest about your housing needs, and find a real estate agent to guide you through the process.

2.    Assess your finances and meet with several lenders to find the right loan.

3.    Research neighborhoods carefully, and make sure to have the house professionally inspected.

4.    Use contingencies as a negotiation tool, and don't forget to budget for closing costs.

Know What You Need
The first step is being honest about your needs versus your wants. For example, you may dream of having a big backyard for gardening. But if you have a busy schedule, a low-maintenance townhouse probably makes more sense. You also have to think about the long term. Will the house still meet your needs--or your family's needs--5 years from now?

Find a Real Estate Agent
A real estate agent can pre-qualify you for a loan, answer questions about neighborhoods, recommend lenders and even coordinate the closing--all while saving you time and money. To find the right agent, look for someone who makes you feel comfortable and listens to your needs. You also want to find a professional who knows the community and current market. Top agents, like those who advertise in Homes & Land Magazine, are great resources for information about their area.

Crunch the Numbers
It's extremely important to have a clear idea of your financial situation before you start looking for a home. Not only will this help you set a budget, but financial records will come in handy when you start shopping for a loan. Make sure to talk with several lenders before making a decision. While interest rates and closing costs are important considerations, you also want your lender to explain things in a way you can understand and make time for your questions.

Compare Neighborhoods
Focus on areas that meet your needs, budget and personal taste. Factors to pay special attention to include convenient access to transportation, employment, schools and stores. The right neighborhood should also make you feel safe, offer recreational opportunities, and have adequate police and fire protection. To help find your ideal location, consult with your real estate agent and try speaking with residents in the neighborhood to learn more information.

Inspect Houses Carefully
During any house showing, be alert for signs of structural weakness, water damage, pest infestations or other things that just don't "look" right. Conversely, don't overlook an otherwise suitable home just because it has cosmetic problems like outdated carpet or a bad paint job. Most importantly, never purchase a home without first having it thoroughly examined by a professional home inspector.

10 Home Buying Mistakes You Should Avoid

• Working with an agent who is unfamiliar with the area, or thinking that you don't need to have an agent
• Making an offer without having a clear idea of your budget
• Not shopping around for the right loan
• Failing to research the neighborhood beforehand
• Buying a house based on its size, rather than how well it fits your needs
• Overlooking a good home simply because of cosmetic problems
• Not having a home professionally inspected
• Thinking that price is the only bargaining chip
• Not reading the fine print on the purchase contract.
• Not budgeting enough money for closing costs.

Negotiation and Contingencies
Don't rely on price as your sole bargaining chip. Contingencies may be written into the contract to specify how certain aspects of the transaction will be handled--everything from standard contingencies like pest inspections, to contingencies for the seller to leave the drapes or pay the buyer's closing costs. Make sure any verbal agreements are written into the contract and that you read ALL the fine print before signing. If you have questions, consult with your real estate agent or real estate attorney.

The Closing
The closing represents the completion of the sale. Be prepared to sign numerous documents as well as pay funds for loan costs, property taxes, insurance and other fees. Try and get a copy of the documents prior to the close so you can contact the settlement agent or escrow officer if any of the information seems wrong or is unclear.

With a little preparation and the guidance of a professional real estate agent, you can help make the sale of your home go much more smoothly. Key factors include setting the proper price, effective marketing, and making your home sparkle inside and out.
 

• Inspect Your House
• Summary Points
• Inspect your home and make any necessary repairs or renovations
• Find an agent to represent you
• Tidy the exterior and give your home curb appeal
• Thoroughly clean the interior and get rid of unneeded items

Before putting your house on the market, a seller's inspection is highly recommended. The inspection can help identify previously unknown problems, as well as give you time to make any necessary repairs or renovations. Likewise, many states require sellers to disclose known problems with their house.

Consider hiring a professional home inspector, as they can often identify problems that are easily overlooked by a novice. Important things to look for include leaks, evidence of wood rot and wood-destroying pests, structural integrity and a thorough assessment of major systems such as the plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling systems.

Find the Right Agent
The right agent can help you set an appropriate price, advertise and show the house to buyers, handle negotiations, draw up offers and coordinate the closing. In short, they can help you sell your home in less time, with less aggravation, and for more money.

To find the right agent, you can start by asking family or friends for a recommendation, or try using the "Find an Agent" feature of this website. Agents who advertise in Homes & Land magazine are top professionals, and can help give your home prime exposure. Next, contact the agent and set up a meeting for a listing presentation.

This gives you an opportunity to hear the agent's plans for selling your property, as well as learn other important factors such as:

Information about the current market and comparable sales
Plans for marketing the house, including advertising and open houses
How long the agent has worked in the community, former clients, etc.
How much money you'll net based on different selling prices.

Give Your Home "Curb Appeal"
Even if your home is in good shape, there are probably a few things you can do to make it really sparkle. This is what's known as "curb appeal," and experts agree that making a good first impression is a crucial factor in attracting buyers. Improving your home's curb appeal can be as easy as tidying up the yard, washing windows, touching up exterior paint or even adding a new bed of flowers.

Cleanliness and Clutter
Houses look a lot smaller if they're crammed full of belongings-and you can't just hide it in the garage either. Buyers like to imagine storage spaces full of their belongings, not yours. Get rid of clutter, and give the house a top-to-bottom cleaning. In particular, make sure the kitchens and bathrooms are immaculate. Buyers will notice right away if these rooms aren't spotless.

If you want to go the extra mile, you might even consider "staging" your house for showings. This can be as simple as adding houseplants and some decorative lamps, all the way to hiring an interior designer to bring in elaborate rugs, antique furniture and expensive artworks.

Moving day is stressful - not only do you have to coordinate every aspect of the move, you might also be dealing with the emotions of those around you on a very busy day -- your spouse, your kids, your movers.

Heck, even YOU might be getting emotional.

So be careful that in the heat of the moment you don't make some of these more common mistakes:

1. Ignoring Your Inventory

Your moving inventory is proof that items that were packed in your home found their way onto the truck. Make sure that everything that was packed got on the van, and that it's reflected in the inventory. Work out a system with your mover so you can check this. (Moving companies do this all the time, so they'll be prepared for the request.)

When you get to your new home, you'll use the inventory again to ensure that everything gets off the truck and into your new home!

2. Not Doing a Walk-Through of Your House After Loading

It's easy to leave stuff behind -- perhaps it's those Christmas decorations in the closet, or maybe that painting in the master bedroom. Before signing anything, go through every closet and cupboard to ensure it's all been loaded. When you sign, your signing over your items to the moving company, and if anything's been forgotten, you'll have to arrange to have it shipped to your new home (and it won't be cheap....)

3. Letting Your Moving Company Move Stuff You Need Access to

Once everything's on the truck, you won't be able to get at it until you're at your new home.  Make sure you set aside these things where the movers won't accidently load them.

This includes enough clothing, cosmetics, toiletries, prescription drugs, electronics like a cell phone and a charger -- and bring a little more than you think you'll need, just in case the moving company's late.

4. Having Kids and Pets Around During the Move

Having kids and pets around during the move can be dangerous to them, and to your movers, because the movers will be lifting and moving lots of heavy furniture and boxes. If you can't have someone watch them for a few hours, make sure they stay in a room that's out of the movers' way. In your new home, set up their rooms first and unpack their toys and the TV, so they can occupied while everything gets moved in and unpacked.

5. Letting Movers Move Precious Goods

Anything you can't bear the prospect of losing you should keep with you in the car on the way to your new home. These include family mementos like pictures, personal documents, financial information and artwork. Also back up the data on your computer (unless you're carrying it with you) and carry the drive with you.

 

Whether you're purchasing a new or existing home, consider the benefits of a home inspection performed by a certified or licensed inspector. The purchase of a home is the biggest investment people make. It not only involves acquiring a significant asset, it may also mean taking on additional problems as well. While home inspectors are limited in their scope, they can offer peace of mind to a new homeowner by assessing some of a home's major componenets.

Only 27 states require that a home inspector be certified, licensed or registered with the secretary of state. Fortunately, the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) is a national organization that requires its members to pass various tests and submit proof of at least 250 fee-paid home inspections before being admitted. No other home inspection organization requires such experience as a condition of membership, which makes it a great resource for borrowers looking for a good inspector.

Even new homes need an objective look. Don't rely on your builder or a county inspector for a neutral review. Use a separate and new set of eyes to examine your home. A private standard home inspection typically costs less than $500 and could save you thousands.

Try to hire a home inspector who is a member of ASHI. Ask for a list of features in and around the home that will be inspected. The most common areas examined include the structure, exterior, roof, plumbing, electrical, heating, air conditioning, interior, ventilation and fireplace.

Your home structure sits on a foundation that, if cracked or sinking, could mean big repairs in the future. Inspectors are trained to look for signs of problems. They will review the exterior - siding, flashing, trim, doors, decks, balconies and porches, as well as examine the vegetation, surface grading, drainage and retaining walls that may adversely affect the structure.

Most mortgage companies require a roof inspection if the home is over 10 years old. Your home inspector should also take a look at the roof covering, drainage systems, skylights, chimneys and flashing in order to assure that it is properly constructed to protect the home.

A visual inspection of a home's plumbing can heed a great deal of information. For instance, most inspectors review the interior water supply, drainage, waste and distribution systems including all fixtures and faucets to insure they are working properly. Water heating equipment, plumbing vents, fuel storage and distribution systems are all included in the inspection as well as pumps if applicable.

An inspection of the electrical system throughout the home including service drops, conductors, cables, equipment, grounding and main disconnects could be vital. A home inspector should also be able to insure there are a representative number of lighting fixtures, switches, receptacles and ground fault circuit interrupters. Your home's heating and cooling system, including any fireplaces, will be inspected to insure each is working properly.

A home inspection's final report should offer a summary of the home from roof to foundation with major repair suggestions and a list of potential areas that may need attention in the future. The summary should also identify problems and offer suggestions for possible preventive measures. Since many new homes offer a one-year warranty, consider getting a second inspection with a different inspector prior to the end of the term to assess any issues that may have developed and could be covered under the warranty.

ARA) - The majority of Americans have errors and other unverifiable information on their credit reports that could be dragging down their credit score. Odds are good that your credit score is lower than it should be. The unfortunate thing is that odds are you will be yet another one of the millions of Americans who will continue to suffer with an unfair credit score because you will do nothing to repair your credit.

Most Americans want to believe the credit reporting system works; that people earn their bad credit and there is nothing they can do about it but wait for seven years. But study after study shows the credit reporting system frequently does not work. This is why the Fair Credit Reporting Act and other consumer protection legislation give you the right to do something about it - the right to make sure your credit score is as good as it can be.

So why is it that, though everyone has the right to dispute the negative items in their credit reports, very few people do? It certainly can't be because they don't understand the importance of a high credit score. After all, it doesn't take a genius to figure out the benefits of a good credit score when it can be the difference between paying $2,500/month and $2,000/month for the exact same house.

More likely, the reason people do not repair their credit is a mix of apathy and lack of understanding of the credit reporting system. Too many people assume the credit reporting system is some official government bureaucracy with an extensive system of checks and balances designed to ensure the safekeeping of their credit history. This couldn't be further from the truth.

The credit bureaus at the center of the credit reporting system are not official organizations. Instead, they are massive, for-profit corporations that collect personal information from your creditors and make money by selling this information in the form of your credit reports.

So now you are asking yourself, how do they ensure this information is correct? If a creditor reports something that is wrong, how do the credit bureaus make sure it doesn't end up on your credit reports?

The answer to both of these questions is: they don't. Your creditors report information, the credit bureaus record it, and for most people, the story ends there.

Nobody at the credit bureaus or in the government is going to make sure your credit reports are accurate. The way the credit reporting system is set up, there is only one person who will ever bother to check up on your credit reports - and that person is you. You are the missing, and ultimately the most important, piece of the credit reporting puzzle.

Making sure your credit score is where it should be is your responsibility and repairing your credit reports is a task you will have to initiate because no one out there will do it for you.

It is your right and your responsibility to dispute the questionable negative items in your credit reports and the sooner you start, the better. You can work to repair your credit on your own or you can enlist the help of a credit repair law firm like Lexington Law.

Whether you attempt to repair your credit on your own or with the help of a credit repair expert, by taking an active role in the credit reporting system, you can ensure your credit score is as good as it can be and that you have the advantage over the millions of people out there with bad credit who haven't taken action to do anything about it.