The 5 W's and How to buy a home

As a home buyer, whether it's your first, second, or third home, it can often times be overwhelming and plagued with questions. You will often times find your mind racing in circles as you try to figure out how to get started, where to started, and what you need. Let's face it, it's scary and you shouldn't be alone! The obvious thing, coming from a real estate agent, is to find an agent. If you hire the right buyer's agent, they should help you with HOW to get started:

WHO: I want to buy a home, and should I hire an agent? Absolutely! The average person buys or sells a home once every 8-12 years, and cannot be expected to know the ins and outs of real estate. By hiring the right agent, she/he will help you find your new home, educate you on the process, handle your negotiations, and follow up with others in the transaction.

WHAT: What do I need?

• Need a pre-approval from a qualified lender.
• Need to know how much you want to spend on a home
• Need to know the kinds of amenities you need in a home
• Do I need to sell my current home first before I can buy a new one?

WHEN: When do I want to start looking for a home? The timeframe varies from person to person and completely depends on your specific needs. You can figure it takes about 30-45 days to close on a house from the date of your accepted purchase contract.

WHERE: Where do I want to buy a home? Determine what is important to you, your family, or your lifestyle. Is it important to be in the right school district? Do you want a short commute to work? Would you prefer an urban, suburban, or a county lifestyle?

WHY: Why should I buy a home? There are many benefits to home ownership: tax advantages, low interest rates, building wealth and equity, or simply self pride.

Kristen Wehner Jacobsen, CRS, CREN

402-672-7701

Omaha, NE

"There's No Place like Home."