Advice for first time buyers

Buying a Home for the First Time
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Are you scared? I know I was the first time I bought a house. I remember it very vividly. I was overwhelmed and undereducated. Later on in life, I took my classes to become a real estate agent and I realized exactly how under informed I really had been. It was then that I vowed, even if I talk too much, I will try my very best at all times to tell a first time home buyer as much as I could think of to help them understand the process. I also vowed to explain, in detail, the purchase agreement they are signing.
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Step one-Get to the bank. Find out what the lender will give you, how much you can afford. If you need it, get credit counseling to improve your credit score. Think ahead at least a year. It may take you that long to get ready to buy that house. Find a lender you can trust, try to go with someone local. It helps to have someone you can meet with in person.
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A tip-It pays to be informed about the process of buying a new home — especially when it's your first time buying. It can be overwhelming but one thing that really helps is keeping an open and honest relationship with an honest and knowledgeable agent- and you will get you through it easier.
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Finding the Agent for you-Finding the right real estate agent can make all the difference in your home buying process, especially if you're a first time home buyer new to the whole process. A good real estate agent can guide you through the buying process and help you avoid costly mistakes. Start by asking your family and friends for the name of a good real estate agent. You should get a good vibe from the Realtor you plan to select.When you sit and meet with him or her, you want to make sure they are really listening to you and trying to get an understanding of what your ideal home will be.The more open and honest you are with the Realtor, and the more receptive they are to hearing your needs, the easier it will be to find and choose the right home.
Find out who is paying the agent's fees. In many cases, the seller will pay the buyer agent's fees, but you need to find out for sure before signing any paperwork. I personally do not charge buyers to look at homes, and am paid by the seller at closing. Be sure that whoever it is that is paying your agent is disclosed to you.
Make sure you understand all the provisions of any paperwork you sign. Your chosen Realtor should make you feel comfortable enough to ask questions, and he or she should not rush you through the paperwork process. I have felt many times I talked too much when signing a purchase agreement with buyers, only to find out later how much they appreciated all of the knowledge I shared with them.
And remember, behind every good agent is a great broker.
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Checklist please-A checklist is a useful tool when buying a new house. Email me for a free home buying checklist to print off on your computer. It will come in very handy!
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Other Home buying tools-With so many tools and sites and so much advice, where does one go? Try our tools on our sites at www.century21.com and www.century21kandirealty.com
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Foreclosures-In our current market one major change from the recent past exists- the influx of foreclosure homes on the market. Though it's not for everyone, buying foreclosure properties can be a way to get a home for less than market value. However, many first time home owners may not qualify for a foreclosure because of the minimum guidelines their mortgage has on quality and condition of the home they are buying. Your agent must be experienced in dealing with foreclosures from both the buyers and the seller’s side to understand this process and be sure they are by asking!