Closeness to family might be a need for a couple with young children or elderly parents to care for or a desire if those factors aren’t involved. It’s items like these that make a checklist most helpful. After location needs and desires are compiled, housing factors can be considered. Needs include having all essential house structures and systems in good working order. Accepting a house with a need for a new roof because the owner is willing to knock $10,000 off the listing price — but it will cost $15,000 to replace the roof in two years — that is not a sensible deal. Needs might include a minimum number of bedrooms and bathrooms, no steps, fenced yard (for pet owners), perhaps a first-floor laundry facility, and any feature the prospective buyers have decided they cannot accept a home without. Desires are features that make the home more attractive or enjoyable — an upgraded kitchen, walk-in closets, a master bedroom suite. Of course, one buyer’s need is another buyer’s desire. The point is to know your own needs and desires so you can easily assess potential properties and make the process smoother. Regardless, buying a house is not a simple process. Much of the planning should be done well before contacting a real estate agent or looking at homes. Work the costs as well as your budget. Choose a general location. Once you have that figured out select a real estate professional of your choice to help you fine tune your choices. A good real estate professional will also advise you on selecting a mortgage professional to help you in getting financial approval. Once you get pre-approved for a mortgage loan your real estate professional will then be able to start showing you homes that fit your needs and your budget. Having the image of your dream home is reality married with imagination. In fact, you may find that some aspects of the
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