Once the decision to buy a home has been made, take the time to prepare before you go on your home search. Yes, it is very tempting to rush out and actually look at houses, but to do so without full preparation can be both disastrous and expensive. You will find that "house hunting" is down on the list.

Get your financial affairs in order first! I can't stress this enough--it will save you an enormous amount of time, aggravation and heartache.

Get preapproved for a mortgage. This will not only give you a clear idea of how much a lender will approve for you, it will make your home buying process a great deal easier (and save a lot of time later). Ask your Agent for lenders they work with and recommend. (There are a lot of lenders out here, not all created equal)

Get familiar with the different housing types available to narrow your search.

Determine your minimum requirements as well as any desired additional features--your needs and wants.

Take note of any items that you don't want in a house.

Determine the desired location (schools, work, public transportation, etc.) Cleveland proper? Surrounding suburbs? (Lakewood,Parma,Euclid,North Olmsted?) More rural area? (Lorain,Geauga,Medina?)

Familiarize yourself with the mortgage process.

As you are looking, use a scorecard to compare homes. A scorecard is a great tool when it comes time for comparisons (and for remembering which home had which features!)

When you find something you like, make sure your Agent pulls recent comparables and researches the property. This way you know the true value and what an appropriate offer would be.

Maintain your perspective--and your cool! You may find an acceptable house on the 1st day--or the 50th. The important thing is to get the home that is best for you! Please post any questions or comments or simply contact me for more information.

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