• How long do you plan to stay. If you're not sure, don't apply for a 30 year mortgage, there are other mortgage loan programs available and with lower rates and better terms.
• Be careful of the 100% interest only loan programs. What would happen if you needed to refinance and the home you bought did not appreciated as fast as you though.
• Check out the 80/20 loan types, 80% interest only first loan, 20% second loan with principal and interest payments to build equity.
• Use the buyers calculator to determine how much home you can afford. Even if you setup an impound account for your taxes and insurance, you will have a good idea of your monthly payments. Your interest and taxes are tax deductible, your automatic savings plan. 
• Get an idea of the types of homes, the location, the price range with our Email Notification.

• Commute, is it worth the hassle stuck in traffic for a newer home that has resale value or buy an established home that is close to where you want, pay a lot more and cramp your life style?
• Check out the area, the neighborhood, the community before making any decisions. Do a drive by on weekdays and weekends, especially at night.
• Map the area, find out the distance to shopping centers, schools, day care, medical, etc.
• Don't be fooled by the outside appearance, the curb appeal. Is the home located on a busy street, is the back yard facing an open field, shopping center, pizza place, restaurant, etc.?
• Once inside, does the home smell? This could be a sign of mildew or mold or if the odor is a fragrance, this could be a sign of a cover up . 
• Be sure that you check everything, the doorbell, water pressure, type of paint, tile floors in the kitchen and bathrooms for water damage. Check cabinets, closets, doors, floors, carpets, ceilings, fireplace, garage, garage door openers and the foundation for cracks. 
• Check the landscaping for proper irrigation, sprinkler system, timers and soil conditions. 
• Get a list of what stays and what goes and make sure that these are noted in the contract.
• Try to get a copy of the last three months utility bills.

• Did the homeowner provide the required disclosures? Did you ask for a home warranty and if possible a home inspection. 
• Did you do the final walk through making sure the property is in the same condition when you first viewed it? Were the appliances in working order? Was everything still there as stated in the purchase contract?
• Remember to change all the door locks.
• Did you find any problems with the inspections, termite, roof, water heater or soil? 

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