Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh

Part 1: Contact a mortgage broker.

Part 2: Determine a Budget.

Part 3: What Features Do You Want in a Home.

Part 4

Looking at Homes

When people think about home buying they automatically think about the home looking process. This is an exciting time but it can also be very stressful. If there are many homes on the market that meet your criteria it can be overwhelming.

Be open minded about the homes you are planning to see. Many homes look great online but not so great in person and vice versa.

Try to not see too many homes in one day. Unless you are extremely time limited, it's difficult to see many homes in one day. After awhile it will be difficult to even remember the distinct details of each home.

When I go out with a buyer I provide them with a summary of each home we are going to see. I encourage every buyer to make notes about the homes seen and to immediately rate homes as possibilities or not.

Homes that make the short list should be visited a second time if possible. When you have found a home that you think might be THE ONE, drive through the neighborhood at different times of the day, do a dry run to work or public transportation, look into the schools and the crime stats. It's important that you check out all angles before making an offer, after all, this is likely to be the most expensive purchase you have made.

Do not let anyone rush you into making an offer on a home if you are not sure.

If you are ready to start the home buying process give me a call!

Part 5: Making An Offer

Part 6: The Home Inspection and Other Contingencies

Part 7: The Closing

Part 1: Contact a Mortgage Broker

Part 2: Determine a Budget

Part 3

Decide What Features You Want in Your Home

Now that you know how much home you qualify for and how much you want to spend, it's time to start thinking about what you want in a home. I think it's important to do this prior to beginning your home search. There are several things that are important to consider:

Location - drive around in different neighborhoods and decide which areas you like and which you don't. It's much harder to find your perfect home if you are looking in too wide a geoprahic area.

Home Style - this is a critical decision. Are you looking for a condo, townhome, or a single family home. Within that decision, there are floor plan preferences, etc to consider. Also think about things like lot size and home maintenance.

Features - I always advice making a list of home features that you want. Put your wants and needs into three categories: Must haves, would likes, and definitely don't wants:

• The must haves are the deal breakers. For example, when we were home shopping my husband absolutely wanted a basement and a garage and I wanted a master bedroom with 2 closets. We therefore, did not even look at homes that were lacking these features.
• The would likes are those features that you would enjoy having but you would be willing to live without. In my own home search things like a fireplace and hardwood floors were on the list. We did eventually end up in a home that had neither of those features.
• The definitely don't wants are as important as the must haves. These are the things that you absolutely do not want in a home you live in. In my case again, some of my do not wants included a home on a main road, a fixer-upper, or a one-story home (I like stairs).

Other things to consider before you start looking include pets, storage needs, accessibility to public transportation, schools, crime, time-frame for moving, etc.

The more you know about the home you want the easier it will be to find your perfect home.

Remember you must be realistic in your expectations for your home. If you are able to spend $150,000 in an area where single family homes cost $300,000 then you may have to compromise and purchase a condo or a town-home.

Flexibility and communication with your agent are the key to helping the home search process go smoothly.

If you are ready to start your home search process, give me a call today!

Part 4: Looking at Homes.

Part 5: The Offer

Part 6: The Home Inspection and Other Contingencies

Part 7: The Closing

I am planning a charity golf tournament and I am truly struggling to get people to play, donate, or sponsor.

This is a charity that is near and dear to my heart as it honors my best friend who passed away on September 11, 2001 in the Pentagon.

Read more about the charity:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1177521/angie-houtz-memorial-fund-a-local-charity

I am asking for your help to make this event a success. If you live near by please consider playing. We had tons of fun last year. Also, if you have a business that could benefit from the sponsorship, please consider getting involved. Alternatively, we also accept tax-deductible donations.

Angie M. Houtz Memorial Golf Tournament

Friday, September 18, 2009

Oak Creek Golf Club

Upper Marlboro, MD

Tee off at 1:00pm

$125/golfer, $480/foursome includes food & drinks

Sponsorship opportunities begin at $100

To register for the tournament:

www.golfdigestplanner.com/12017-angie

For more information on the Angie Houtz Memorial Fund give me a call or visit the website: www.angiehoutzfund.com

Please pass this on to anyone that you think can help and feel free to reblog this!!!!!!

Part 1: Contact a Mortgage Broker

Part 2

Determine a Budget

A mortgage broker can determine how much home you can qualify to purchase. However, each individual has to determine how much home they can personally afford.

To develop a budget, pay attention to all fixed expenses that you might have - car payments, student loan payments, etc.

Next consider all other expenses that you might incur when owning a home - utilities, home owner association dues, property taxes, home maintenance, mortgage, etc.

Don't forget to budget money for food, fun, and saving.

It's important to be comfortable with the amount of the home you purchase. There's nothing worse than having a huge home that you can't afford to furnish or keep up.

Don't be afraid to let your mortgage broker and real estate agent know what price range you are comfortable with.

I have a buyer now who qualifies for a home up to $250,000. However, he would like to keep his payments at a certain level so we are instead looking in the $175,000 range.

Once you know how much home you can afford you are ready to begin the fun part of looking for a home.

Step 3: Determine What Features You Want In a Home

Step 4: The Home Looking Process

Step 5: The Offer

Step 6: Home Inspection and Other Contingencies

Step 7: The Closing

If you are ready to begin the home-buying process give me a call!

Contact a Mortgage Broker.

It is important that this be the first step because a good mortgage broker will go over your employment and income history and your credit to help determine what price range you qualify for. It is important to be truthful with your mortgage broker and provide all the information they need in a timely manner to speed the process along.

Many people wonder why they can't start looking for a house and THEN call the mortgage broker. There are a few reasons:

1. Your mortgage broker helps determine the price range and payment that you are comfortable paying and you can reasonably qualify for. There is no point starting the home search process until you know that information. Wouldn't it be terrible to search and fall in love with a $300,000 home only to learn that you can't afford more than $225,000?
2. Your mortgage broker can also give you information about things you can do to make your credit more attractive to the bank.
3. Your mortgage broker can determine whether you can purchase a home in the current credit climate.
4. They may also have information about special programs that you can qualify for.
5. If you have a pre-approval or pre-qualification letter from a reputable lender it makes for a stronger offer when you find the house you want to buy.

It is important that you are comfortable with the mortgage broker that you choose. This person needs to be someone who is responsive and patient with your questions and who keeps in touch with you throughout the process. Ask friends and family or your trusted real estate agent for referrals.

The home buying process can be very stressful and it is critical that you surround yourself with professionals who can help make this process as easy as possible.

It's ok to change mortgage brokers if you are not satisfied with your current broker.

If you are ready to begin the home buying process give me a call. I will be happy to provide referrals for good mortgage brokers in your area.

Part 2: Determine a Budget

Part 3: Decide What Features You Want in Your Home

Part 4: The Home Looking Process

Part 5: The Offer

Part 6: Home Inspection and Other Contingencies

Part 7: The Closing

If you are interested in offering a FREE home buying seminar for your local group, give me a call, 240-481-3565.