preparing to buy a home...

The following five basic steps will help get your home buying experience off to a good start and help ensure you have a happy ending.

1. Plan to Buy a Home in an Area You Intend to Stay.

In general, you should make sure you can commit to remaining in one place for at least a few years. When looking at areas of interest take into consideration your job and commute time, school district, distance from loved ones and any other factors that are important to you.

2. Check Your Credit.

Since you are likely to need a mortgage to buy a house, make sure your credit history is as clean as possible. Ask for a copy of your credit report and correct any inaccuracies before you begin house hunting.

3. Calculate your Finances.

Aim for a house you can afford. Getting pre-approved by a lender will ensure that you are looking at houses in the right price range.

4. Hire a Professional.

The home buying process can get complicated very quickly. Whether you end up with a professional from Coldwell Banker Endsley and Associates or not, we would always strongly recommend that you seek the expert advice and assistance of a professional real estate agent.

We'd love to have you as one of our clients, and we think it is best to ask for recommendations from people who have used agents when buying their home. Ask them what their experience was like and if they would use the same agent again. Interview several agents before determining the one you want to work with.

5. Do your Homework, Get to Work, and Have Fun Doing It.

Once you've gotten your finances in order and found a professional that can help you in the process, the fun really starts. For some the process is quick and painless, for others it may take a while to find your dream home. Either way, we encourage you to gather as much information as possible on all fronts. The tools available to buyers today are better than ever. Whether you're getting information from the internet or that offered directly by your agent, you will have a lot to digest. We're confident that our sales associates will help you have the best real estate buying experience possible.