<p>
<hr />
</p>
<p><strong>Courtesy of Jimmie Van Hooser your REALTOR®  - 931-320-2142 </strong></p>
<p><strong>
<hr />
</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<h3><strong>Take the Stress Out of Homebuying</strong></h3>
<p><br /> Buying a  home should be fun, not stressful. As you look for your dream home, keep  in mind these tips for making the process as peaceful as possible.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>1. Find a real estate agent who you connect with. </strong>Home  buying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional  one. It’s critical that the REALTOR® you chose is both highly skilled  and a good fit with your personality.<br /> <br /> <strong>2. Remember, there’s no “right” time to buy, just as there’s no perfect time to sell.</strong> If you find a home now, don’t try to second-guess interest rates or the  housing market by waiting longer — you risk losing out on the home of  your dreams. The housing market usually doesn’t change fast enough to  make that much difference in price, and a good home won’t stay on the  market long.<br /> <br /> <strong>3. Don’t ask for too many opinions.</strong> It’s natural to want reassurance for such a big decision, but too many  ideas from too many people will make it much harder to make a decision.  Focus on the wants and needs of your immediate family — the people who  will be living in the home.<br /> <br /> <strong>4. Accept that no house is ever perfect.</strong> If it’s in the right location, the yard may be a bit smaller than you  had hoped. The kitchen may be perfect, but the roof needs repair. Make a  list of your top priorities and focus in on things that are most  important to you. Let the minor ones go.<br /> <br /> <strong>5. Don’t try to be a killer negotiator.</strong> Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process, but trying  to “win” by getting an extra-low price or by refusing to budge on your  offer may cost you the home you love. Negotiation is give and take.<br /> <br /> <strong>6. Remember your home doesn’t exist in a vacuum.</strong> Don’t get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself —  room size, kitchen, etc. — that you forget about important issues as  noise level, location to amenities, and other aspects that also have a  big impact on your quality of life. <br /> <br /> <strong>7. Plan ahead.</strong> Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to get approved  for a mortgage, investigate home insurance, and consider a schedule for  moving. Presenting an offer contingent on a lot of unresolved issues  will make your bid much less attractive to sellers. <br /> <br /> <strong>8. Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-home buying budget.</strong> Even if you buy a new home, there will be costs. Don’t leave yourself short and let your home deteriorate.<br /> <br /> <strong>9. Accept that a little buyer’s remorse is inevitable and will probably pass.</strong> Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a big financial  commitment. But it also yields big benefits. Don’t lose sight of why you  wanted to buy a home and what made you fall in love with the property  you purchased.<br /> <br /> <strong>10. Choose a home first because you love it; then think about appreciation.</strong> While U.S. homes have appreciated an average of 5.4 percent annually  over from 1998 to 2002, a home’s most important role is to serve as a  comfortable, safe place to live.</p>
<p>
<hr />
</p>