| A good home buying checklist, like any
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| | remember the home after looking at
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| good checklist, can make things go more
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| | others. Ask a lot of questions. Use a
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| smoothly. You will have to put your own
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| | home inspection checklist, taking notes
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| list together according to what your own
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| | to pass on to a professional home
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| needs, but here are some items that will
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| | inspector.
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| be common to most home buying lists.
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| | ___ Make a decision. Does the home work
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| ___ Prepare. Consider not only what
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| | for you? Find out the appraised value if
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| monthly payment you can afford, but how
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| | possible. Find out why the seller is
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| much you want to afford, given your other
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| | selling. How does the home compare to
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| goals. Check your credit report and take
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| | others you have seen? What is the home
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| actions to improve your credit score.
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| | worth to you, based on what you know of
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| Make a list of what you want or need in a
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| | values at this point? Ask the agent if
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| home, and prioritize it in case you can't
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| | there have been other offers, and what
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| get everything.
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| | happened with them.
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| ___ Choose an area in which to focus your
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| | ___ Make an offer. Have the agent help,
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| search. What do you need in a town or
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| | but don't reveal your thoughts on
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| neighborhood? Use online resources to
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| | possible negotiations. Write your earnest
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| investigate towns. Check crime rates
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| | money check to an agency, or the real
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| online. Investigate schools. Look at
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| | estate broker if they have an escrow
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| local newspapers online to get a "feel"
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| | account. Be clear in the offer as to what
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| for a town.
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| | stays with the home. Specify who will pay
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| ___ Get preapproved. Gather pay stubs for
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| | for each closing cost. Include
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| the last few months. Find recent bank
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| | contingencies for any necessary
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| statements, tax returns, w-2 forms, proof
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| | inspections.
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| of other income. Ask questions about loan
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| | ___ Complete the purchase. Arrange
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| options (take notes). Make copies of
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| | inspections as soon as the offer is
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| pre-approval letter to submit with
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| | accepted. Satisfy any other contingencies
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| offers.
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| | in the offer. Get a loan commitment from
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| ___ Start home shopping. Browse online
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| | a lender. Get a firm closing date. Buy
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| listings. Look in newspapers, and real
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| | home owners insurance. Get a closing
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| estate guides. Find a real estate agent
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| | statement. Obtain the cashiers check for
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| that is active in the area you are
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| | the closing.
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| interested in, and with the types of
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| | ___ Prepare for the move. Once closing is
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| houses you are looking for. Consider a
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| | certain, arrange for transfer of
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| buyer's agent. Explain clearly what you
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| | utilities to your name. Mail change of
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| are looking for. If the agent shows you
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| | address forms to post office. Start
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| homes that clearly don't fit your
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| | packing. Hire a mover. Transfer
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| criteria, fire him. Take notes on homes
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| | prescriptions. Get kids registered in new
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| you see.
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| | schools.
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| ___ Look at the homes. Does the home meet
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| | As a final item on your home buying
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| your requirements? How does it feel when
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| | checklist, check out everything
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| you walk through it? Look at the
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| | thoroughly when you arrive at your new
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| neighborhood. Ask the agent about any
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| | home. It should be in the same (or
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| problems the home may have. Take a photo,
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| | better) condition as when you made the
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| or write a description, so you'll
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| | offer.
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