Your First Step in the Buying Process...

 
Before you begin your home search:
  • Save your money - You will need at least a moderate savings to cover your earnest money deposit and some closing costs.
    Try to pay down any outstanding debt such as credit cards, car loans and store credit.
  • Be thrifty - Don't buy that new car yet and save the furniture shopping for later. You will need your credit to be in tip-top shape for the home buying process.
  • Have a credit report run on yourself/yourselves, then make sure all the information is accurate.

    You can visit www.qspace.com or the credit report service agency of your choice to receive an online credit report. For a small fee, you enter a credit card number and information and get an instant report on yourself. For more money, you can get a detailed report drawn from all three credit reporting agencies.

    If you wish to keep your credit to yourself, you can elect to contact all three credit reporting agencies yourself:

    Equifax Credit Information Services
    P.O. Box 740241
    Atlanta, GA 30374
    1-800-685-1111
    [$8.50 for most states]

  • Find out how much house you can comfortably afford. How to do that? If you want to have a ballpark figure, you can use this handy calculator or learn how lenders do their figuring here. Your lender will be able to tell you exactly how much house you can afford.
  • Watch the real estate channel, check out the real estate section of the local paper or attend open houses. Getting yourself acquainted with the real estate market in this way allows you to learn the real estate jargon, become familiar with prices and varying degrees of quality. Only take this step if you are buying a home the same area rather than relocating to another city or state. Home prices and standards can vary widely from place to place. If you are relocating to another city or state, get yourself a knowledgeable buyer's agent who will not only help you look at houses, but will also educate you to the new city's market.
  • Contact me for real estate advice. I can...
    • Answer your homebuying questions
    • Access information on all properties listed in the area
    • Set up appointments for you to see homes
    • Offer opinions backed by years of experience when touring the homes with you
    • Help arrange financing for you
    • Support and guide you all the way through to closing
    • Make your transaction as painless and stress-free as possible
Lisa Ellis, GRI
ReMax Preferred Associates
7101 Creedmoor Road, Suite 115 • Raleigh, NC 27613
Phone: 919-676-9766 Fax: 919-676-3114
Toll Free: 800-506-6329, ext. 257
Email: Lisa@LisaEllis.com