Home Buyers Tip #1

Valuable information for buyers and sellers.

High affordability, low mortgage rates and the $8,000 first-time buyer tax credit make now an excellent time to purchase a home. For those consumers interested in taking advantage of these favorable market conditions, it pays to do your homework.

Buying a home is probably the biggest purchase one makes in their lifetime. According to the National Association of Realtors, prospective buyers should spend some time getting educated before embarking on a house hunt:

Decide what you want. Make a list of the features you want in a home. For example, figuring out the preferred style, size, location and number of bedrooms and bathrooms will help narrow down the possibilities.
Search online. Browse the Web for homes that meet your criteria. Many sites, including Weichert.com, allow you to see multiple photos, view school and neighborhood information, and set up e-mail alerts to notify you of new listings.
Explore the community. Drive through the neighborhoods and visit nearby shopping areas to get a better sense of the areas you are focusing on. Local real estate agents can also be a great source of information about the communities in which they do business.