anybody have any suggestions before i buy a house?

Get a professional inspection done. You can use the results to further negotiate the price.

Pay a lawyer to go thru the contracts before you sign.

Get a survey done.

We had never bought a house before but i took a few real estate classes. Look for a house thats been on the market for like 3 months plus, the owner is likely to take ur offer as he wants to get it out from under him/her. When the house was appraised make sure the value is what they are asking, and if so say ok i'll pay what ur asking BUT u pay the closing costs. We put down a 1000 promise money and got back 400 at closing no down payment or closing costs. Also make sure u get a fixed rate and not a variable rate. If u have any credit problems clean them up in the up coming year and u should get a good interest rate. Good Luck :)

Suggestions: Find a local lender in your area to review what you need to do to get in a great position to buy in your price range. You have time, so that is great. A good lender is worth their weight in gold, so interview a few and don't go with the "salesman" - go with the one who is real and wants to help you get something you can afford comfortably.

Next, start getting a feel for the market. If you like to, go to open houses and see what is available in your price range. Become an educated buyer.

HGTV has some great articles about home buying. Go check them out.

Get pre-qualified, talk to an agent first and they can help you with the steps. I have some information that is good for first time buyers I'd be happy to send you if you want. Lots of information about ways to save money and the basic steps you need to take in preparing for becoming a first time buyer. There are many sites that you can use to educate yourself, just do a search for "first time home buyer."

I LOVE YOUR QUESTION!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! You are a rarity!!!! You DON’T have that “pie-in-the-sky” AND “look at the world through rose-colored glasses” attitude --- AND I HOPE AND PRAY no one ever tries to sway you from your level-headed attitude and approach

I did my best to put these tips in a logical sequence. Some of them may occur in a different order.

Tip #1: Look into First-time Buyer programs in your county/city/state.

Tip #2: Get pre-qualified with a reputable lender. “Just for hell of it” see what you can afford to buy --- right now, today , this minute. At least you’ll have a pretty good idea what you can afford OR if there are credit issues you must take care of before you start looking, you should know what they are AND how to manage them.

Tip #3: You want to qualify for a fixed-rate, positive amortization mortgage. DON’T go for any negative amortization mortgage. When you sit down with the mortgage officer, ask him/her to explain the different mortgage types to you. There are MANY types. In fact, you should find out about the different mortgage types before you sit down. with the lender. .

Tip #4: What ever the outcome of Tip #2, PLEASE don’t ever co-sign for anyone at any time for any reason for any amount. This is ONE OF THE fastest way to knock yourself out of contention.

TIP#5A: You may want to consider hiring and paying an agent to work exclusively with you, for you and represent your buying interests. it’s a thought which deserves considering.

Tip #5B: IF you are able to, sit down with a reputable real estate sales person - one who KNOWS the market in the area[s] you’re looking in. Using the new figures you may have created through your borrowing and/or paying down or paying off various loans and credit cards, ask to be re-qualified.

Tip 5C: Ask that wonderful person to giver you approximate closing costs and an approximate monthly payment - based on the true and correct information you furnish. Hopefully, you will see how things begin fitting into place and the pieces of the home buying jigsaw puzzle begin falling into place and a much clearer picture is seen.

Tip #5D: Ask for copies of all the documents you will see, be exposed to and will be expected to sign when you are ready to submit an offer or buy your first home. Buying a home is an extremely emotional time. Having all the necessary documents AND KNOWING what is in those documents could make life a lot less stressful when it comes time to “sign on the dotted line”.

Tip #5E: PLEASE do your best to “stick with that agent”. If you see an ad in the paper OR on line OR you drive-by and see a sign OR if someone tells you about a property, call that agent to get all the necessary info for you. 98%+ that agent can get that information a lot easier than you can. DON‘T make any calls and leave your name with any one. You have a trusted agent. He/She will do his/her best for you. Shouldn‘t you do your best for him/her?.

Tip #6: When you buy that first home, ask your agent about getting a home inspector to go through the property. Those folks have wonderful eyes and may be able to bring to your attention those small details you may not see.

AND/OR those potential problems which cost you many thousands of dollars in a relatively short period of time after you make settlement or close on your home.

Tip #7: Want to become a millionaire? Do your best NOT TO sell any of the properties you buy. Have every one of your properties professionally managed.

Tip#8: There will be other tips and answers given for your question. Weigh each one. Keep it and adapt it to your home-buying stylke OR “kick it to the curb”.

Thank you for asking your question. I thoroughly enjoyed taking the time to answer your question. You did a great job - not only for your information, but for every other person interested in reading my answer.

I wish you well!

VTY,

Ron B.

Have house inspected and Escrow

get it inspected and get youre property tax rolled into youre morgate