Home buying

Buying a home is a lot like a long journey.
Before and during the journey, there are decisions that will impact everything that follows. Good decisions mean a journey that is rewarding both during the remainder of the journey, but also afterward in memories. Bad decisions could mean a disastrous trip that may even be aborted before it starts.

In purchasing a home, good decisions mean a smooth process for achieving your goals and the rewards that follow when living in your new home. A bad decision could mean not being able to purchase the home you desire, or quite possible any home at all.

There are literally dozens of decisions that you must be prepared to make. Some of the more common decisions concern:

Mortgages - which lender, which program, government backed, conventional, how much, how long, what rate…
Insurance - homeowners, homeowner warranties, title insurance, changes to life, health and disability insurance…
Terms - what's offered, what's needed, what's reasonable…
Offers - how to structure, how to present, what to include, what to avoid…
Closing - when, where, who does it…
Attorneys - should you use one, should you save the expense, what is their role, who is good, whom to avoid…
Agency - what type, what who to use…
Purchase price - how much, what is the home worth on the market, what is it worth to you, what is too much…
Earnest money – how much and what risk
Escrows – who holds
Moving companies – do it alone, use a local, national
Counter-offers - how to get what you need and want

Very few people make these decisions often enough to have a process developed for good decisions. That is why it is very important to start developing your plan now.