Bill Inman

For starters:

Examine your goals

How ironclad are your dreams? Can your ideal of a formal dining room or a hot tub on a redwood deck be postponed? Must you have a two-car garage? Lowering your expectations and starting out modestly (in decent housing that meets your needs) can lead to owning those dreams -- in time.

Start saving

Get your priorities straight. Without taking all the fun out of life, what's more important to you, weekends on the road and dinners out or stashing away at least part of your down payment? (Most lenders want to see that some of the money you invest is your own.)

Keep your credit record clean

When you go mortgage shopping, lenders will be looking over your payment records. Don't let a late-payment habit rise to haunt you. (Reformed late-payers can request creditors to erase the blots on their records -- for a small fee.)

Look for financial assistance

Your parents and other relatives may be able and willing to give you gifts that will get you over the down payment hurdle. (Loans from relatives will be counted as debts and will lower the amount of mortgage payments your lender will allow you to carry.)

Get some co-signers

Parents, relatives (and unrelated investors) can either co-sign a loan or share the ownership of your home. With shared ownership, you'll be the resident but your co-investor may share specified expenses (plus tax advantages and equity accrual), and will share in your profit on sale.

Shop for mortgage loans

Qualifying for a mortgage can be managed in several ways to fit your down payment and monthly-payment abilities. FHA and VA loans come with low down payment requirements, and lenders offer ARMs (adjustable-rate mortgages) at initially low interest rates. (Look for an ARM that can be converted to a fixed rate should rates drop.)

Consider creative financing

Also, new-home builders and other sellers may offer buy-downs that lower your interest rate in the first few years of a mortgage, thereby making a home more affordable. Balloon loans (if they have at least a 7-year term) can often bridge gaps and give you time to accumulate equity and/or cash to pay them off. Home sellers can sometimes help you financially -- with a lease-purchase arrangement or a take-back loan. Lenders and sellers are constantly creating new ways to help buyers buy homes. We can help you check them out.

Look at starter homes

Once freed of the vision of "instant dream home," you can look for housing that will start you on the equity-building path to realizing your dream. Condominiums and townhouses are often much less expensive than detached houses and buying one now can serve well as a stepping stone.

Search for bargains

If you're handy with tools, a fixer-upper home gives you the opportunity to buy inexpensively, fix up and, in a few years, trade up. And if you're adventurous, auctioned properties in suitable neighborhoods can also be good values. If you don't mind a longer commute to work, outlying areas frequently offer homes at lower prices than those found close to town.

Whatever route you choose toward buying your first home, be patient. It may take time to find the right combination of elements, but there is a home out there for you and a way to obtain it. We'll be most happy to help you create your path to its door.

Call or e-mail me for more information on buying your first home.

Bill Inman - Realtor
CENTURY 21 Mike Bowman, Inc.
4101 William D. Tate Avenue, Suite 100
Grapevine, Texas 76051

Telephone Direct 817-328-2390
Direct Fax, Toll Free 877-326-9965
E-mail Bill@C21-Inman.com
Web Site www.C21-Inman.com

"It does not cost you more to hire #1, but you get so much more!"

Bill Inman is a multi-million dollar producer and was awarded the prestigious CENTURY 21 Masters Emerald Award.

Bill Inman is proud to be associated with CENTURY 21 Mike Bowman, Inc. the #1 CENTURY 21 Office in the WORLD for Homes SOLD AGAIN in 2008, and the #1 Office in the WORLD 11 times since 1993!

Support The Dallas Mavericks Foundation

CENTURY 21 Mike Bowman, Inc., The Official Real Estate Company of the Dallas Mavericks, has teamed up with The Dallas Mavericks Foundation to provide this exclusive donation opportunity.

The foundation's mission is to assist young people through programs stressing education, good health and skills necessary for their future success.

The Dallas Mavericks possess a strong sense of social responsibility, acknowledging that a community is only as strong as its weakest link. Established in October 1996, the Dallas Mavericks Foundation is dedicated to inspiring and motivating youth to take their education seriously, strive for healthy bodies and minds, become involved in community service activities, set personal goals, visualize their dreams and take responsibility for their own lives and neighborhoods. It is a 501(c)(3) private charity, and although it is affiliated with the Dallas Mavericks professional basketball team, is incorporated as a separate business entity.

It is the intention of the Dallas Mavericks Foundation to do what it can as a grant-making organization to help the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex be a nurturing environment within which human beings thrive. Because of the high-profile nature of the sport of basketball and its athletes, we have the opportunity to assist local youth projects and programs in increasing the opportunities for our youth to live healthy, fulfilling lives. With a solid foundation, our youth can then go on to make significant contributions to society.

Bill Inman - Realtor
CENTURY 21 Mike Bowman, Inc.
4101 William D. Tate Avenue, Suite 100
Grapevine, Texas 76051

Telephone Direct 817-328-2390
Direct Fax, Toll Free 877-326-9965
E-mail Bill@C21-Inman.com
Web Site www.C21-Inman.com

"It does not cost you more to hire #1, but you get so much more!"

Bill Inman is proud to be associated with CENTURY 21 Mike Bowman, Inc. the #1 CENTURY 21 Office in the WORLD for Homes SOLD AGAIN in 2008, and the #1 Office in the WORLD 11 times since 1993!

Bill Inman is a multi-million dollar producer and was awarded the prestigious CENTURY 21 Masters Emerald Award.

Consider Real Estate: Why Real Estate Beats An Ordinary Job If you want a challenging, rewarding career, and the chance to take charge of our own future, you should consider a career in real estate sales.

Flexibility. A career in real estate has benefits you can't get from an ordinary job. There's no stifling routine - every day is different. And you can truly be your own boss, working at your own pace and at the schedule you choose. Certainly there are practical considerations and demands on your time; but real estate sales is one of the few careers where you can decide how you will spend your most priceless commodity - time!

Income Control. In real estate, you control how much money you make. The smarter and harder you work, the more money you make.

Rewards. You'll meet a lot of interesting people, and you'll enjoy helping them find the homes they need and want, while you help yourself to a fascinating, rewarding career.

Selection: A career in real estate is not for everyone. At CENTURY 21 Mike Bowman, Inc., our careful selection program combines a series of interviews with an apptitude analysis to help determine if an individual is suited for a real estate career. So if we select you, you'll know that your chances for success are high.

Training: Success in real estate requires in-depth knowledge and superior sales skills. You'll have both when you've completed the CENTURY 21 Mike Bowman, Inc. training program. Classes in financing, market valuation, contracts, sales techniques and personal goal setting are conducted by experienced professionals, using innovative learning situations. Upon completion of the program, you'll have a well-rounded training background that you can be proud of and rely on throughout your career.

Growth: Once you're actively involved in your new career, we'll continue to keep you up-to-date with staff meetings, advance workshops, seminars and the latest in technology training. Our continuing success is directly related to the progress of our sales associates, and we are committed to providing the necessary support and assistance to help you reach your goals.

Over the past years CENTURY 21 Mike Bowman Inc. has built a solid reputation in our community - our sales associates are recognized in the field for their in-depth knowledge, professionalism and extensive training. As a member of that team, you'll share in that reputation and recognition, and enjoy the personal pride of working with one of the leading residential real estate sales companies. With our growth, we need people who want to grow with us.

If you want a challenging, rewarding career and the chance to take charge of your own future, contact us today.

Bill Inman - Realtor
CENTURY 21 Mike Bowman, Inc.
4101 William D. Tate Avenue, Suite 100
Grapevine, Texas 76051

Telephone Direct 817-328-2390
Direct Fax, Toll Free 877-326-9965
E-mail Bill@C21-Inman.com
Web Site www.C21-Inman.com

"It does not cost you more to hire #1, but you get so much more!"

Bill Inman is proud to be associated with CENTURY 21 Mike Bowman, Inc. the #1 CENTURY 21 Office in the WORLD for Homes SOLD AGAIN in 2008, and the #1 Office in the WORLD 11 times since 1993!

Bill Inman is a multi-million dollar producer and was awarded the prestigious CENTURY 21 Masters Emerald Award.