| Don't let this down market fool you - many folks still | | | | minors. So, the home has crown molding - don't forget |
| need help buying a house. First time home buyers are | | | | it needs $12,000 of new flooring - a far more important |
| notorious for making mistakes that cost them dearly in | | | | feature than crown molding. See No. 1 - never place |
| the long run. Here are 5 must-do strategies to make | | | | too much emphasis on small features. |
| sure you're getting the best deal possible on the home | | | | 4. Be thick-skinned about offending someone. I say it |
| you may be buying. | | | | again - don't let a realtor control you or your situation. If |
| 1. Don't let the realtor pre-sell you. I love realtors, but | | | | you don't like a home and you know it, tell the realtor, |
| don't assume the realtor is your best buddy - they are | | | | or owner "this one isn't for me" and move on - quickly. |
| there to sell you a home. Maybe you really want a | | | | More importantly - don't worry about your offering |
| pool - never tell a realtor "we only want to look at | | | | price offending a seller or realtor. Don't be afraid to ask |
| homes with pools." Why? Because a) You may find | | | | for repairs to be made - in fact - demand it. |
| your dream home and it doesn't have a pool; b) the | | | | 5. Let the appraiser be your friend. If you're obtaining |
| realtor will leverage that against you. Yes - I said | | | | bank financing, you will most likely get to pay for an |
| against you. Just keep it to yourself - the realtor does | | | | appraiser. Most are good and very knowledgeable of |
| not have to know everything. | | | | their market. Take the appraisal report as good |
| 2. Know home values in the area before you make an | | | | information, not as something that may "kill your deal". |
| offer. So, the seller is coming off his list price $12,000... | | | | You may disagree with the conclusion, but use it as |
| he may have been $15,000 high to begin with. Do your | | | | good data for future reference, especially things like |
| homework - look at tons of MLS sheets and local | | | | the square footage, flood information, etc. |
| flyers. Research your local Appraisal District. Simply | | | | In any market - up, down, or stagnant - new and |
| put, place the burden on yourself to understand pricing | | | | experienced home buyers need helping buying a home. |
| in your market. | | | | Do your research and be open to picking up new and |
| 3. Don't get sold on little features. Don't major in the | | | | old tips as you move toward buying a home. |