Step 2: Finding a Home

Selecting a Home

All of your financial papers are in order, now what?

It’s time to have some fun finding your new home! Figure out what your needs are for the new home. On a broad scale, you should ask yourself:

• Where do I want to live?
• What price range can I afford?
• What is the community like? Ask the neighbors questions about the neighborhood.
• What are the schools like?
• What about public transportation or daycare facilities?
• Is the house big enough that I won't outgrow it?

Prioritize your wants and needs in your new home. The more your REALTOR® knows about what you are looking for, the easier it will to help you find the right home.

Making an Offer

Once you have chosen a home that fits your needs, make an offer. Your REALTOR® will help make an offer that meets market rates and can help negotiate the price.

After you have come up with an offer amount, the next step is to decide how large a deposit to make toward the home. This is called the earnest money deposit. Make the deposit large enough to show the seller you are serious.