Once the decision to buy a home has been made, take the time to prepare before you go on your home search. For example, much of the information on this Web Site should be very familiar to you before you go looking for homes. Yes, it is very tempting to rush out and actually look at houses, but to do so without full preparation can be both disastrous and expensive. If you review the checklist you will find that "house hunting" is about halfway down the list.

• Determine what your budget will comfortably allow and stick to it. Don't spend yourself into a "house poor" situation.
• Get preapproved for a mortgage. This will not only give you a clear idea of how much a lender will approve for you, it will make your homebuying process a great deal easier (and save a lot of time later).
• Get familiar with the different housing types available to narrow your search.
• Determine your minimum requirements as well as any desired additional features--your needs and wants.
• Take note of any items that you don't want in a house.
• Determine the desired location (schools, work, public transportation, etc.)
• Familiarize yourself with the mortgage process.
• If you don't already have an Agent screening homes for you, you can check listings and prices throughout the U.S. on our interactive map.
• Don't just buy a home for your present needs. Make sure to take into account future considerations.
• As you are looking, use a scorecard to compare homes. A scorecard is a great tool when it comes time for comparisons (and for remembering which home had which features!)
• Get familiar with the inspection process--especially the personal inspection aspect, so that you can weed out unacceptable houses quickly
• Maintain your perspective--and your cool! You may find an acceptable house on the first day--or the tenth. The important thing is to get the home that is best for you!

On-Line Resources FOR HomeBUYERS Information FOR HomeBUYERS, Inc, Services Brochure Relocation Article Building Questions Fannie Mae Foundation Free Home Buying Guides "Borrowing Basics: What You Don't Know CAN Hurt You" "Knowing and Understanding Your Credit" "Choosing the Mortgage That's Right for You" "Opening the Door To a Home of Your Own" Triangle Multiple Listing Service Statistics Residential Real Estate Trends Summary of Triangle-Wide Activity North Carolina Real Estate Commission "Working with Real Estate Agents"