Buying a Home

If you’re thinking about buying a home, the first thing you should do is focus on exactly what you’re looking for. Start by establishing your priorities in these three areas:

1. Location: How will the location of schools, shops, and transportation affect your choice of neighborhoods?
2. Personal tastes: How large a home do you need? What style of architecture do you prefer? On what kind of lot?
3. Budget: How much home is wise for you to own?

There is also the question of whether or not to buy a new home. New homes tend to have more spacious living and family rooms, and they’re generally easier to maintain. However, many homes built years ago offer more total space for the money and larger yards. Taxes may also be lower.

Many people are charmed by the character of an older home but deterred by potential maintenance costs. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage’s Home Protection Plan gives you a safety net for unexpected repairs on many home systems and appliances for a full year or more after you move in.

If you’re thinking of buying a new construction home, there are other matters to take into account.

Resources & tools

While you’re thinking everything through, do a little research by conducting a property search and reviewing our neighborhood info. Use the mortgage calculator at the bottom of this page or contact our mortgage experts to get an idea of what your costs will be.

Once you have a sense of what you want in a home, contact us to help you find neighborhoods and properties that appeal to you. Provide as many details as possible about what you have in mind. This will help them determine which properties you should see. With our experts at your side, you can rest assured you will find the right one.

On the road: looking at homes

When you go out to look at homes, we suggest bringing the following items along:

• Notebook and pen for note-taking
• Flashlight for seeing enclosed areas
• Tape measure for checking room sizes, clearance, etc.
• Camera to help you remember details about the home

Your real estate agent will likely provide detailed information about each home you see. That said, don’t be afraid to snoop around a little. You will want to find out as much as possible. Sellers understand that because their home is on the market, it will be looked over pretty thoroughly.

Also, don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have – about specific rooms, features or functions. Pay particular attention to areas that could become problematic, such as additions, defects, and areas that have been repaired. As a potential buyer, you have the right to know.

If you want to go back to a home for another look, your agent will be happy to schedule an appointment.

8 questions to ask when looking at a home

People buy homes for many reasons: to be closer to their jobs, get extra space for a growing family, downsize, or other lifestyle changes. With your own reasons in mind, consider the following questions:

1. Is there enough room for you now and in the near future?
2. Is the home’s floor plan right for your family?
3. Is there enough storage space?
4. Will you have to replace the appliances?
5. Is the yard the right size for you?
6. Are there enough bathrooms?
7. How much maintenance or upgrading will you need to do right away or later?
8. Will your furniture work in this home?

Finding the right home for you

There is no set number of homes you should look at before you decide to make an offer on one. The perfect home may be waiting for you on your first visit. If it isn’t, the house-hunting process will help you get a feel for the homes in the community and create your “shortlist.”

If you’re looking in more than one community, try to make the most of each house-hunting trip. Stop by the local chamber of commerce to pick up promotional literature. You can also ask your agent for welcome kits, maps and information about schools, churches and recreational facilities.

The Home Buying Experience

There are few things more potent than the feeling of home. Buying a new house is a thrilling event, whether it’s your first house or your third. But it can also be a stressful one if you haven’t done your homework. Fortunately for you, Coldwell Banker has the experience, the knowledge and the wisdom to help you find your dream house.

As a recipient of the Women’s Choice Award® as a “9 out of 10 Customer Recommended Real Estate Agency”, Coldwell Banker has been recognized as a real estate leader in customer experience and overall quality. The Women’s Choice Award identifies and promotes America’s most recommended brands.

Coldwell Banker can confidently guide you through the process and arm you with the information you need to be a shrewd, well-informed buyer. So take a moment to browse our home buying advice and discover why choosing the right agent is the surest path to getting the keys in your hand with the least amount of worry.

Before You Buy

Preparation is key when buying a house. From down payments to mortgage prequalification to understanding the type of house that will meet your needs and satisfy your wants, Coldwell Banker can help you make sure to have your financial ducks in a row and your expectations grounded in reality when preparing to buy a house.

Searching for the Perfect Home

Shopping for a new home can be like a safari hunt. But to bag that trophy house you’ve been dreaming of, you’ll want to understand what it is you’re looking for. Traditional or modern? How many bedrooms? Do you want a pool? How are the schools in the neighborhood? You’ll face these and many other questions as a prospective homebuyer when you are house hunting for your perfect home.

Nobody can give you better advice and help you understand what fits your taste, your budget and your lifestyle better than Coldwell Banker. We’re a house hunter’s best friend. 9 out of 10 women trust Coldwell Banker as we carry the Women’s Choice Award seal of approval. Coldwell Banker is the real estate leader in customer experience and overall quality.

Making the Purchase

So you’ve found the perfect house! It’s in a great neighborhood. There’s a big yard with fruit trees. And the price fits your budget. Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure no important details are left unnoticed.

Who can you turn to, to guide you through the logistical—and emotional—challenges of buying a house? That’s right, your trusted agent. Your agent will sweat every last detail to make sure you’re in a great position when you ready to sign the papers.

As a recipient of the Women’s Choice Award® as a “9 out of 10 Customer Recommended Real Estate Agency”, Coldwell Banker has been recognized as a real estate leader in customer experience and overall quality. The Women’s Choice Award identifies and promotes America’s most recommended brands.

Don’t you feel better now? Now let’s learn exactly what you’re signing on for when you’re buying a house.

If you’re thinking about buying a home, the first thing you should do is focus on exactly what you’re looking for. Start by establishing your priorities in these three areas:

1. Location: How will the location of schools, shops, and transportation affect your choice of neighborhoods?
2. Personal tastes: How large a home do you need? What style of architecture do you prefer? On what kind of lot?
3. Budget: How much home is wise for you to own?

There is also the question of whether or not to buy a new home. New homes tend to have more spacious living and family rooms, and they’re generally easier to maintain. However, many homes built years ago offer more total space for the money and larger yards. Taxes may also be lower.

Many people are charmed by the character of an older home but deterred by potential maintenance costs. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage’s Home Protection Plan gives you a safety net for unexpected repairs on many home systems and appliances for a full year or more after you move in.

If you’re thinking of buying a new construction home, there are other matters to take into account.

Resources & tools

While you’re thinking everything through, do a little research by conducting a property search and reviewing our neighborhood info. Use the mortgage calculator at the bottom of this page or contact our mortgage experts to get an idea of what your costs will be.

Once you have a sense of what you want in a home, contact one of our friendly agents to help you find neighborhoods and properties that appeal to you. Provide as many details as possible about what you have in mind. This will help them determine which properties you should see. With our experts at your side, you can rest assured you will find the right one.

On the road: looking at homes

When you go out to look at homes, we suggest bringing the following items along:

• Notebook and pen for note-taking
• Flashlight for seeing enclosed areas
• Tape measure for checking room sizes, clearance, etc.
• Camera to help you remember details about the home

Your real estate agent will likely provide detailed information about each home you see. That said, don’t be afraid to snoop around a little. You will want to find out as much as possible. Sellers understand that because their home is on the market, it will be looked over pretty thoroughly.

Also, don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have – about specific rooms, features or functions. Pay particular attention to areas that could become problematic, such as additions, defects, and areas that have been repaired. As a potential buyer, you have the right to know.

If you want to go back to a home for another look, your agent will be happy to schedule an appointment.

8 questions to ask when looking at a home

People buy homes for many reasons: to be closer to their jobs, get extra space for a growing family, downsize, or other lifestyle changes. With your own reasons in mind, consider the following questions:

1. Is there enough room for you now and in the near future?
2. Is the home’s floor plan right for your family?
3. Is there enough storage space?
4. Will you have to replace the appliances?
5. Is the yard the right size for you?
6. Are there enough bathrooms?
7. How much maintenance or upgrading will you need to do right away or later?
8. Will your furniture work in this home?

Finding the right home for you

There is no set number of homes you should look at before you decide to make an offer on one. The perfect home may be waiting for you on your first visit. If it isn’t, the house-hunting process will help you get a feel for the homes in the community and create your “shortlist.”

If you’re looking in more than one community, try to make the most of each house-hunting trip. Stop by the local chamber of commerce to pick up promotional literature. You can also ask your agent for welcome kits, maps and information about schools, churches and recreational facilities.

The mortgage calculator below will help you estimate your monthly mortgage payment. Simply enter the price of the home, your down payment, and loan details to calculate your monthly payment.