217452 57 Business & Finance Personal Finance Home Finance true Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:47:06 -0700 /system/videos/5/96/83/25/258396.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, business, finance, personal, home, house, buy, buying, purchase, purchasing, own, owning, real, estate How To Buy a Home http://www.howcast.com/videos/217452-How-To-Buy-a-Home http://www.howcast.com/videos/217452-How-To-Buy-a-Home/edit approved 168 640 360 <object width="425" height="273" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="howcastplayer"><param name="movie" value="http://www.howcast.com/flash/howcast_player.swf?file=217452"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.howcast.com/flash/howcast_player.swf?file=217452" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="273" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" ></embed></object> 6 crazyp3t3 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/217452/buy_a_home_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg 896 false false false 83575 0 15 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/217452/15.jpg Know your rights Buying a home can be a complicated legal process, so begin by familiarizing yourself with your legal rights. The government’s Housing and Urban Development department, also known as HUD, has much of this information available on its website, www.hud.gov.

]]> 83576 1 32 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/217452/32.jpg Shop for a mortgage Shop for a mortgage before you shop for your home. Talk to a variety of lenders to find the best rates and terms. Many will pre-approve you for a certain amount, so you’ll know exactly how much you can offer on a house.

]]> 83577 2 44 Tip Many buyers are approved for more financing than they need, so look at homes you can truly afford, not ones you technically can buy based on your pre-approved mortgage.

]]> 83578 3 53 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/217452/53.jpg Set a price Figure out how much you can afford based on your income and monthly expenses. Don’t forget to factor in things like property taxes, homeowners’ insurance, any improvements you might have to make on the home, and utility costs you may not have had before.

]]> 83579 4 66 Tip When comparing different lenders, make sure you’re comparing apples to apples. Loans from different lenders can have different terms and conditions that make huge differences in what you will be paying.

]]> 83580 5 75 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/217452/75.jpg Get it in writing When you decide on a loan agreement, get the terms in writing. There’s no law against an unethical mortgage broker pulling a bait and switch on you at the closing.

]]> 83581 6 84 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/217452/84.jpg Pick a realtor Pick a realtor to help you find a home that suits your needs, desires, and budget—and help you with the paperwork involved in buying a home.

]]> 83582 7 94 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/217452/94.jpg Visit potential homes Visit as many homes as you can, making sure to check out everything from the basement to the attic. Test the faucets; open and close doors and windows; look into every nook and cranny. This is not the time to be shy.

]]> 83583 8 108 Tip Bring a camera along if you’re viewing a lot of homes so you can keep them straight and review your choices again later.

]]> 83584 9 114 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/217452/114.jpg Check out the ‘hood If you find a home you like, visit it at different times of the day, night, and week to gauge how safe it feels and how noisy it is. Observe the neighbors.

]]> 83585 10 124 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/217452/124.jpg Make an offer Make an offer on the home. A realtor will guide you as to how much you can lowball the owner on the initial offer.

]]> 83586 11 130 Tip Make the offer contingent on a home inspection. And, just to be safe, find your own inspector; don’t go with the one the realtor recommends.

]]> 83587 12 138 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/217452/138.jpg Shop for homeowners’ insurance Shop for homeowners’ insurance, which is required by lenders. You often can get a better rate by getting a policy from a company with whom you already do business. In any event, shop around for the best rates.

]]> 83588 13 149 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/217452/149.jpg Close the deal Schedule the “closing,” the date when the agreements are signed, the money is paid—and you get the keys to your new home!

]]> 83589 14 157 Fact The average age of the first time home buyer rose from 27 in 1977 to 34 in 2007.

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