Home
shopping for first-time homebuyers it's an exciting, albeit
nerve- wracking, experience. If you're like others in the market for
their first home, you probably have in mind exactly how your soon-to-be
home will look.
But it's
important not to fall into the bad decorating, dingy walls and
dirt-bare back yard equals bad-home trap. If you don't see past the
hideous wallpaper, funky light fixtures and avocado green carpeting, you
may miss out on a home with great potential.
And, if you're looking for a
home in a seller's market where homes are being snatched up as soon as
they go on the market, you'll come to realize you can't be choosy if you
want to make a competitive offer.
One of the first things to do
is to get pre-approved for a loan and determine the maximum you can
afford to offer for a house. Don't look at homes that are asking for
more than 5 percent above your maximum, otherwise you'll be setting
yourself up for disappointment if you find the perfect—but outside your
budget—home.
So what to do?
