Buying Your Home . . .

Here are the answers to a few common questions concerning the purchase of residential real estate.  If your question is not answered here, please contact me at karen@karensellstx.com, and I will help you find the perfect home to meet your needs and desires.

1.	Why work with one realtor?
		Some buyers believe that working exclusively with one real estate professional may prevent them from seeing a property through another source.  This is not true.  Most real estate companies participate in a system called the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).  Through the MLS system, agents submit information about homes their companies have listed for sale so that all other agents, regardless of where they work, have the opportunity to sell those listings to prospective buyers. That way, you have the widest possible range of choices.
2.	What can I do to prepare for buying a home?
		Know where your down payment cash will come from. If it's coming from stocks, go ahead and sell them. If Uncle Fred is kind enough to lend you money, get it in hand so you are ready to go.
		Getting pre-approved for a loan will let you know how much you can afford to pay and make you a better prospect in the seller's eyes, hence, giving you more negotiating leverage.
		Keep an open mind.  Look at different style homes.  You will be surprised how quickly you will know which home best suits your needs.
		When you find the home you can see yourself living in, ask for a market analysis showing what similar homes in that area have sold for.  This will enable you to make a sensible, educated offer.
3.	What are the most important rules in house hunting?
		Location - Consider commute time to and from work and the availability of shopping, schools, churches/synagogues and medical facilities.
		Location - Homes in an established neighborhood with a good history of resale are more desirable
		Location - Try to avoid homes that are situated on lots near highways, bypasses or heavily traveled roads.
		Location - Whether or not you have school-age children, the quality of the public schools should be considered
		While Location, Location, Location is still at the top of the list, other factors to consider are style, size and price.