|
|
|
Home Security
Installing a home security system is becoming increasingly popular and easy for most do it yourselfers while saving money. Some home security companies require a three year contract trapping home owners in.
More than half of Britons (58 per cent)...
Home Security Patio Sliding Glass Doors.
As promised at the end of part 4 of this series, in this section
I will deal with Patio Sliding Glass Doors. Quite often
homeowners install sturdy locks on their front doors but leave
their patio doors and sliding glass windows "wide open"...
How To Create An Oasis of Serenity With a Backyard Garden Hot Tub
Imagine starting your morning with a saunter out the back door to enjoy a cup of coffee in your garden hot tub, or relaxing just before bed with a lazy soak in your backyard hot tub under the stars. More and more homeowners are taking the plunge...
The Final Walk Through
So you've bought a house. The paperwork is signed and in order, and all that remains is your final walk through. Wait! Your job isn't over.
The final walk through can be a crucial step in the home-buying process. While it's true that home...
Windows and Doors Enhance Home Safety
Windows and Doors Enhance Home Safety
(ARA) - Safety starts in the home and it begins with fundamentals such as windows and doors. While functional, these products may be safety hazards if not maintained properly and replaced when they are worn...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Right Time To Buy Your First Home
There are many real estate market forecasts and predictions available - however the bottom line is that if you want to buy your first home—there is no wrong time. This is because the motivation to buy is not determined by regional market conditions or by location, but rather by your personal needs.
Industry opinions, economic reports, and investor speculation do not sway or predict when a particular individual will be ready to buy.
For the great majority of people, the most compelling reasons to buy a home are based on individual circumstances and personal needs. Some of these factors are:
* Family needs and desires for children/parents/in-laws/couples
* Convenience to home, work, school, social activities
* New work situation
* Sense of achievement or fulfillment
* Freedom and independence
* Sense of security and privacy
Even though there are many changes in the market, both up and down—people still need and want to buy homes. This desire to buy a home is deeply rooted in the fabric of our national consciousness. The intrinsic value of homeownership—defined as worth based on perception of value--gives far more satisfaction than ROI calculators can quantify.
Today, there are many different loan programs with flexible terms to fit all buyers. There are city and county down-payment assistance programs to assist in buying a home. There are condos and manufactured homes to close the affordability gap. For future buyers with blemished credit, there are many debt reduction and counseling programs to help gain a fresh start.
How do you make the leap to become a homeowner? First, you must determine that you want to buy a home. Sounds simple, yet many people find that getting started is the hardest part. There are perceived obstacles in the minds of many would-be homeowners: Do we have enough money for the down payment? How can we get out of our current lease? Where can we afford to live? The goal is home ownership, and there are many steps to reach the goal. You may not be financially ready yet, but you need to ascertain where you are NOW in relation to your goal.
Get your finances in order. Accurately determine your financial situation and check your credit to determine where you fall as a borrower. Look at all of your available assets for your down payment and examine all of the finance options available to you. If you have some credit blemishes, take the time to make timely payments to your creditors to present the best financial picture to your home lender. Make sure that you have a track record of stability in your employment history. Postpone any major purchases such as cars, motorcycles, or large appliances until after you close escrow. Your actual home purchase may still be 12-18 months down the road, but you can still prepare for it now.
Get pre-approved for your mortgage. Once you’ve cleared the financial hurdles, talk to your lender or broker to find out how much you can afford to borrow along with the expected out-of-pocket costs you will need to incur for the closing. This will include the required down payment (if necessary) along with funds for closing costs, which can run 3-4% of the purchase price. Pre-approval also allows you to shop for a home with an accurate price range. If you are buying in a seller’s market, you may want to search for homes that are considerably below your approved price range, so that you can have the most room for negotiation.
Find a credible licensed real estate agent. Look for an agent that can work with you based on YOUR needs and your schedule. Check references of previous clients and make sure that he or she is responsive and available to you. You may not know exactly what you want in terms of a new home, and your agent should work with you to determine your needs and help you
find a property that meets your immediate and future needs. Your agent should be familiar with the area where you plan to move. Check with family and friends for successful agent referrals. Ask them how satisfied they were with his/her services and if they would use them again.
Become an informed and practical buyer. Once you determine where you would like to live, determine what factors are most important for your family. Calculate your new commute time and research school information for your children. You may want to consider the proximity to a place of worship and shopping in the area. Make sure to evaluate the surrounding factors that are most important to you, along with factors that are least important.
Find a home that works for you. Check out the floorplan to make sure that it meets your needs. Envision yourself along with your family, living in the home. What are the key points of consideration for your home? If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, then you want to make sure that the kitchen can accommodate your habits. If you will be working from home, make sure that your home office setup will work. Make sure that all of your telecommunications and electrical needs can be met. Is the backyard adequate for your family? Do you need a garage? Are you willing to make major repairs to the home? Does the style reflect your taste? Can the home grow with you over the next 5 years, 10 years or 30 years?
Make the offer. Once you have located a property that meets your needs, make an offer based on the listing price, along with comparables information and market considerations. Your agent can work with you to determine the best price, along with any contingencies for the sale. Some strong purchase offers include:
* Short contingency removal periods
* Short escrow periods
* Increased cash deposit
* Love letter from buyer
* Pre-approved letter from lender with guarantee for purchase price
It is good to get an independent home inspection, so that you can know what the potential pitfalls and future maintenance needs may be. Your offer may be accepted as-is; you may face a counter-offer from the seller, or you may be rejected. In a seller’s market, you may find yourself bidding with several other buyers for a single piece of property. Work with your real estate agent to determine what is customary in your area. This is when his/her negotiation skills really come in handy!
Once your offer has been accepted, you will enter an escrow period, where all of the title research will be handled, funding requirements met; tax and title transfer paperwork managed. Prior to the close of escrow, you will sign all of your finance paperwork, and pay your remaining deposit and closing fees. After funding is complete, the title company will record the new purchase deed with the County Recorder’s office, and you will officially “close”.
Congratulations! Now get ready to move! Make sure to connect your new utilities (and disconnect your old service) along with mail forwarding.
Everyone wants someplace to call their own, and whatever your financial picture, there is always a way to purchase a home. The purchase of a home can be a lifelong achievement, but one that is truly a worthy accomplishment.
About the Author: Cecelia Taylor writes for San Diego Real Estate Authority. (http://www.sandiegorealestateauthority.com) Find detailed descriptions of over 85 communities in the San Diego real estate market; compare average real estate prices in these communities and more; search through the MLS listings yourself.
Source: www.isnare.com
|
|
|
|
|
| Home Security Store - Wireless Security Systems for Home Protection |
| Home Security Store specializes in home security systems, wireless security systems and home security cameras by top name companies like Ademco, ... |
| www.homesecuritystore.com |
|
| SMARTHOME - X10, Remote Control, Lighting, Wireless Security |
| Home automation including X10 protocol support, home networking, remote control lighting, and security. |
| www.smarthome.com |
|
| Home > Security |
| World's Largest Distributor For Home Automation! Free catalog for X10, home security, video surveillance, audio video, phones, automatic controls, pet care, ... |
| www.smarthome.com |
|
| Brink's Home Security : Home Security System, Alarm Monitoring ... |
| Provides customized home security surveillance systems, with services and products including burglar alarms, smoke detectors, intrusion detection, ... |
| www.brinkshomesecurity.com |
|
| Home Security – Home Alarms & Home Security Systems Guide |
| Home Security and Alarms provides information on the current home security devices on the market and monitoring programs from the leading home security ... |
| www.homesecurityandalarms.com |
|
| A Guide to Home Security |
| Home security and DIY shops sell inexpensive, key-operated locks to fit most kinds of windows. You may need more than one window lock, depending on the size ... |
| www.crimereduction.gov.uk |
|
| Burglar Alarm Systems at Norco Alarms.com |
| With today's technology, you can purchase and install a home security ... Whatever your lifestyle, it's easy to choose a home security system that fits your ... |
| www.norcoalarms.com |
|
| Howstuffworks "Home Security Channel" |
| The index to over 400 fantastic 'How Stuff Works' articles! |
| home.howstuffworks.com |
|
| #1 Security company for home, business and government - ADT |
| Security and fire alarm systems for small, medium and large businesses. |
| www.adt.com |
|
| The Brink's Company - Business and Security Services |
| Brink's Home Security - Residential & Commercial Alarm Monitoring Systems ... Brink's Home Security changed the security industry by making ... |
| www.brinks.com |
|
| X10.com - X10 Home Security, Wireless Security Camera, Home ... |
| The home of X10 and America's Favorite wireless Home Security system with No Monthly Fees starting at ONLY $99.99! X10 is the leader in wireless Security ... |
| www.x10.com |
|
| Home Security and Commercial Security Solutions - Guardian ... |
| Sells, installs, and monitors residential and commercial security systems. |
| www.guardianprotection.com |
|
| Home Security Information + Common-Sense Safety Tips |
| Home Security Information -- articles to help you make your home safer and explain various types of burglar alarms and systems. |
| www.homesecurityinformation.com |
|
| Compare Home Security - Buy Electronics at Bizrate |
| BizRate has the lowest prices and best customer reviews for Home Security. Compare prices, find store ratings and read Home Security reviews before you buy. |
| www.bizrate.com |
|
| Get a wireless home security system or home security camera from ... |
| Protect your home with a wireless home security system or home security camera from SafeMart. Affordable alarm systems from GE, Honeywell, Ademco and more. |
| www.safemart.com |
|
| Home Security Systems |
| Get matched to local Home Security contractors for your home improvement projects. ServiceMagic's network of Home Security contractors are prescreened and ... |
| www.servicemagic.com |
|
| SecurityandMore Video Security Cameras, Business and Home Security ... |
| Security cameras, home security systems, CCTV systems and more. Get color security cameras and other quality video home security cameras or digital video ... |
| www.securityandmore.com |
|
| Home Security Cameras & Security Camera Systems |
| Offers home security cameras & security camera systems, video surveillance equipment, cctv security system, remote monitoring with hidden cameras and time ... |
| www.surveillance-video.com |
|
| Home Security - Articles on Home Security Systems |
| Home security systems. Security system expert. Home security tips and articles to help you make your home safer. |
| www.home-security-systems.net |
|
| home security - surveillance equipment - spy cameras - alarm systems |
| Do It Yourself home security alarm systems, surveillance and theft deterrent equipment, personal security devices, spy cameras,hidden cameras, ... |
| www.youdoitsecurity.com |
|
|