What is the home buyer experience?  Customs and laws vary from state to state and even within the states.  There are basis steps that will take you down the yellow brick road to home ownership. 

1.  Choose a lender and get pre-approved.  Before you start looking for your home find out what the bank will lend to you.  This makes it much easier when looking for your home.  The lender can be where you have your bank account or any other bank that you don't normally do busy with.  Learn the different mortgage terms, so when the bank or mortgage broker talks to you about point, closing costs etc. you will know what they are talking about.  (Types of mortgages, Conventional, FHA, VA Adjustable Rate Mortgage,  Fixed Rate etc.)

2.  Decide on the type of home you want & can afford (single family, mutti family, condominium or co-operative.  Have your agent tell you the difference and ask questions.

3.  Decide on the features you want in the house (Size, Style, Location, School District, Number of Bedrooms, Baths, Family Room, Eat in Kitchen, Formal Dining Room, Landscaping, Garage, Air conditioning etc.).  As you look at homes keep an evaluation sheet.  You should be able to find your new home right away if you are clear on what you really want.  Find out what you like and what you dislike.

 As you look for your home, see it without the Seller's furniture, decorating and clutter.  See your furniture and your personal touch instead.  Many people walk into a home that is exactly what they are looking for and get caught up with the Seller's decorating preference.  You can always change the paint, take down the wall paper and remove the carpeting.  As you look keep your  eye out for the perfect home that you can fix up to your expections.

 Remember homeownership remains one of the highest goals for many people.  Owning a home is an investment in yor future giving you stability for you and your family, there are tax savings and great satisfaction.  Purchasing a home is a great investment.  Your home can actually increase in value with each payment you make.

A home that you own gives you the right to keep the pets you want, plant a garden, remodel or redecorate when you want and not have to get permission from a landlord to drive a nail in the wall.  Your own home lets you be the one to decide who comes and gos and the right to hire who you want to fix your home.

Alice.Steininger@century21.com