Source: AJC Homefinder

Janice Hayes, Realtor with Jenny Pruitt & Associates, finds that about 40 percent of her clients are first-time home buyers. She offers these tips if you’re thinking about buying your first home.

  1. First go see a lender. Find out where you are pricewise and if there are going to be any problems in financing. Then you’ve got time to work out glitches in your credit score before it’s time to apply for the loan. Interview three different lenders to find the best match for you.
  2. Take a look at listings. See what kind of house you like. See what kind of listings are available in the area you’re interested in.
  3. Consider your commute. You’ll get more house for the money the farther out you go, but you may spend more time in the car.
  4. Think about your interests. Do you need to be near parks for active recreation or would you rather have easy access to movies and restaurants?
  5. Find out about the schools. Even if you don’t have kids, buying in a good school district is important for resale.
  6. Rely on your Realtor to help you understand how to negotiate the contract.

Janice finds that buyers tend to be attracted to a certain kind of house. “Maybe it’s what they grew up with or always wished they had,” she says. “But we have to talk about whether this is really right for them. Why do they want a two-story home just for the two of them? What will they do about maintenance? I take them to see what they think they want, but I throw in a few other types of houses to get them to think differently.”

Hayes’ final advice? “Remember that you don’t have to live here forever, but you want to find something you can enjoy now and possibly sell down the road. Always keep that in mind.”