3 steps to finding your dream home

Are you in the market to buy a house?

There are many steps you should take when it comes to buying a home and for first-time homebuyers, the process can seem daunting – and even a reason some avoid chasing the all-American dream. Following these steps can ease the process and have you on your way to crossing the threshold of your very own abode.

Get pre-approved. By going through the mortgage process up-front, you will know exactly how much house you can afford. And being pre-approved makes you "ready to buy" and will allow you to write a confident offer on a listing when you find the one you want to purchase. It also prevents you from falling in love with a home you can't afford.

Write down a list of priorities. List out what you want in a home before you start looking to help you stay focused during the search and when you find that special home. Be sure to hire an inspector to point out any current problems with the home once you're ready to buy.

Find the right agent. A Realtor will be there through every step of the home-buying process to find the right home for you, negotiate on your behalf and help you fill out all the necessary paperwork that comes with buying a home. As a buyer, having a Realtor doesn't cost you anything because Realtors work on commission and will get paid out of the fees the seller pays to sell their home.

Home buyers can also find useful tools such as the Affordability Meter at www.ownyourdream.me, which allows people to enter a monthly payment amount and see results for types of homes they could potentially afford in different areas based on that price. Another local resource is Coldwell Banker's Buy vs. Rent, which tells people whether it's better to buy or rent, given a particular monthly payment and a desired home value amount.

By working with an agent at Coldwell Banker Heritage Realtors you can feel confident that you've taken the right steps in making your dream a reality. Follow the steps to buying a house by going to www.ownyourdream.me.