Bonnie Koff Real Estate

Buying a home ranks as one of the biggest personal investments and commitment one can make. Being organized and prepared will help significantly to getting the best home deal possible with the least amount of stress  

Before you build a plan of action, take the time to lay the framework for your decision-making process.   

First, ask yourself how much you think you can afford to spend for a home. To be sure of your the price range, find a lender to assist you in becoming  pre-approved. Pre-approval will let you know what you can afford.  This will enable you to look for homes in your price range. A pre-approval helps to alleviate some of the anxieties that come with home buying. You know exactly what you qualify for and at what rate.  You know how large your monthly mortgage payments will be, and you know how much you will have for a down payment. Once you are pre-approved, you avoid the frustration of finding homes that you think are perfect, but are not in your price range.

Second, ask yourself where you want to live and what is the best location for you and/or your family.

Important Considerations:   

• Proximity to work, school
• Age of home
• Crime rate of neighborhood
• Local transportation
• Convenience for family members
• Types of homes in neighborhood
  

What features do you require in a home to satisfy your lifestyle? What about three to five years from now?

Most people tend to remain in their home longer than they initially plan, primarily due to the work and expense associated with moving.  Therefore it is worth considering a home with room to grow. Could the basement be turned into an office and extra bedrooms for children? Could the attic be turned into a master suite or an in-laws suite? Having an idea of what you'll need will help you find a home that will satisfy you and your family for years to come.

The real estate market is constantly changing and if you are buying it is wise to find out what the current market condition is in your area of purchase.

 

Hot Market

Normal Market

Cold Market

Two Months Before Your Move
•    Get moving quotes if you are planning on using a professional mover.
•    Visually prepare or design a floor plan for your furniture in your new home.
•    Create a list for inventory of your belongings. This is helpful in preparing a garage or moving sale.
•    Keep all of your paperwork concerning the move in one file, so nothing is lost or misplaced.
•    Transfer all school records for your children.
•    Finalize your decision on a mover.
•    If time permits, prepare your new home for arrival (new paint, new locks, etc.).


One Month Before Your Move
•    Change your address.
•    Make any travel arrangements where you would need an airline, train, hotel, bus or car rental.
•    Research the area in which you will be moving for clubs, civic organizations and churches, so that you can change your membership.
•    Contact medical and dental offices to receive records, asking these professionals for referrals and continuing prescriptions.
•    Make an inventory list of all of your belongings.
•    Arrange for your pets to be transported.
•    Use/finish household items so that there is less to pack and move.


Two Weeks Before Your Move
•    Contact all of your utilities and change your service to your new address.
•    Organize those helping you on the day of the move.
•    Be sure to confirm all travel reservations you have made.
•    If moving appliances, you may want to make sure they are inspected before the move.
•    Pack all clean clothing.
•    Keep important documents and valuables close at hand during the move.
•    Prepare for the move of any infant or small children.
•    Review your insurance policy for coverage during your move.
•    Provide relatives with your travel information.
•    Defrost your freezer and refrigerator.


Moving Day Has Arrived!
•    Do a final walk through of the home to make sure all of your belongings have been removed.
•    Be sure to take control of all personal items that are valuable or important to you during the move.
•    Make sure you have a certified check or cash to pay the movers upon completion.

I found this interesting and I hope you will too.

- Bonnie

Q: I signed a contract to buy a lender-owned foreclosure through an agent. Our agent ordered a home inspection and it was scheduled for Feb. 17 at 1 p.m.

As the inspection was finishing up, our agent told my wife that she heard from the listing agent four days earlier that there had been a death in the house. Later that evening, I started searching the Internet and calling neighbors and discovered there was horrible police shootout incident in that house in which two residents were killed.