Short but useful guide for home buying from Realtor.com. Plenty of tips throughout the buying process. Here’s some of them:
“Use the “Pick 2” rule: price, quality, location. Typically, you can prioritize two of those categories, but not three.”
"The general rule of thumb is that you can purchase a home that costs two or three times your annual salary,” says Harrine Freeman, a financial expert and the owner of H.E. Freeman Enterprises.”
“One no-brainer way to increase your credit score is to simply pay off your debt. Not an option right now? Here's a cool loophole: Ask your credit card companies to increase your credit limit instead.”
“Divide your list into three categories: must-have elements, followed by items that would be nice to have (e.g., a bonus room or home office) and your dream features (e.g., in-ground swimming pool).”
“Temporarily off the market (TOM) -
This means the homeowner has removed the property from the MLS for an undetermined period, usually because work is being done on the house or because the home cannot be shown. It should return to active soon enough, so it's certainly worth piping up if you're smitten.”
“The proper way to celebrate is with takeout and beer, eaten on the floor. Do your research ahead of time, so you know what you want to eat, and aren't left scrambling an hour before closing time. “Know where the best pizza place or takeout is nearby” says Eileen O’Reilly, a real estate agent in Burlingame, CA. When you are crazy busy with moving in, you don't want to get hangry.”
“Bottom line? It's never wise to insult the person whose home you're trying to buy.”