How to Be Smart About Buying Your First Home

My husband and I purchased our first home seven years ago from family friends. They were eager to move and we were even more eager to move in. Persuaded by their "special" cut in price, we overlooked many glitches that would later come to haunt us.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• a notepad and pen
• a wandering eye for detail

1. Your notebook ultimately serves as your memory, providing detailed imagery of what you have seen. Many first time home owners are so excited at the premise of actually owning a home they overlook key details that can reek havoc for years to come. It is key to be assertive about your likes and dislikes in a home.
   WHEN TOURING A HOME ALWAYS KEEP PEN AND PAPER HANDY TO WRITE DOWN: PROBLEMS YOU SEE, PROS AND CONS, AND YOUR GENERAL FEEL FOR THE HOME.
2. Initially Be Your Own Home Inspector. Once you are in the home, be prepared to have a roaming eye for detail. Ask the owners to step out for awhile so you can look around (this is far more difficult with them standing there!). Don't be self-conscious about being a snoop, consider it like shopping for a car. Would you purchase a car with a big hole in the backseat? Would you want to be compensated for the problem or have them fix it? The same goes for a home. It is pertinent to know what you are getting yourself into.
3. Watch for large holes behind pictures, mirrors and wall decorations. What to look for in a home:
   water damage (walls, ceiling, floor, inside cabinets), fans in each bathroom, lights in closets, plenty of pantry space in the kitchen, holes or tears in the carpet, holes and gaps in the walls (even behind pictures and wall hangings!), the smell of mold (look for moldy insulation in the basement or crawl spaces), plenty of electric sockets in each room as well as telephone connections where you want them, satellite or cable television. availability, railings for staircases, obvious damage to gutters and roofs, elaborate landscaping that will prove impossible to keep up with.
4. Simple landscaping consisting of mulch and a few bushes can be a homeowners dream. * When viewing the outside of the home, consider your work ethic: Do you want to mow lawn every week? Does weeding and trimming seem like a hassle? Do you prefer simplistic designs? Does the layout appear as though it will overlap when plants and bushes get too big? If the thought of this is overwhelming, consider purchasing a home with a more simplistic look. Also be aware of the neighborhood rules like the Home Owner's Association. They may have guidelines concerning the tending of your yard.
5. A liscensed professional will know what to look for and how to go about getting it amended before purchase. There is no way to get around it . . . you will need a professional home inspection! It is an absolute need when purchasing a home. In fact, in many states it is law.

Tips & Warnings

• The tips above are merely for the initial consideration and viewing of a home by the home buyer.
• Many individuals are deciding to go it alone rather than utilize a realtor in order to save money. Make sure you understand the specifics of home buying before you decide to take this route.
• Nothing is fool proof, if you are purchasing a home that has been lived in you need to be prepared for flaws. You and the home inspector won't be able to catch them all and that just comes with the territory. Being aware of what you are getting yourself into is the first step to being a prosperous and responsible home owner.