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Maria Haun
839 N. Perryville rd,
Rockford, IL 61107
Office: 815-229-8007
Fax: 815-231-5607
Cell: 815-978-2338
Email: mhaun@whiteheadweb.com
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Maria's Blog
20 Questions for FSBO's
Posted - 06/25/2008 6 comments
Click on the following link and ask yourself these important questions before deciding to sell your home on your own.
    
    20QuestionstoAskYourselfBeforeYouDecidetobeaFSBO.doc


10 Simple Rules to Follow When buying Your First Home
Posted By - Maria Haun ABR - 06/14/2008 4 comments
  1. Know what you can afford to spend.  Get pre-approved BEFORE you start looking.
  2. Don't spend time looking at homes you can not afford.  Only look at home in your price range.  This will reduce the temptation to over-extend your budget. You do not want to become "house-poor."
  3. Realize the neighborhood that you choose is at least as important as the house.  Make sure you are comfortable there.  Houses can be modified, finding  the community that is a god fit for you and your family is vital.
  4. Think about re-sale value.  When you spot a home you like, consider how it will look to future buyers.  For instance, a busy street can turn most buyers off.
  5. Always use a REALTOR!  Get your own buyers agent, you get their services for FREE!  If you see a For-Sale-By-Owner, your buyers agent can contact them for you as well!
  6. Investigate ongoing maintainace costs and other factors such as insurance, taxes, and utilities.  Taxes will go up and this will make your payment go up as well if you escrow your taxes and insurance.  While this usually is not a dramatic increase, it is an increase.  ( My personal experience has been, at the most $15 one year and actually go down $10 another)
  7. Get a HOME INSPECTION and review the report carefully!  come up with a negiotiation strategy, remembering the seller is obligated to fix a leaking roof but not repair a small hole in the carpet!
  8. Once the offer is in, DO NOT go buy that new car you have been eyeing or any other big ticket items!  Your lender will check your credit report a few days before closing and if there have been any major changes on it they will pull out of the deal!
  9. Don't fixate on list price!  The true value of a home might not be reflected in its listed price.  A property's listed price is just the price the seller is hoping to get.  If you think the house is worth less, make an offer!  Use your agent's comparitives of recently sold homes in the area  to come up with a price to offer.

  10. Accept imperfections!  While some buyers demand big-open floor plans and spacious bedrooms, your price range may not offer these types of homes.  Remember, this is a starting point and you will be able to move up in the very near future.

    If you have any questions about these rules or anything else about real estate don't hesitate to email me or call!


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