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Step 1.
Set your sights on the right price range.
Most people know what kind of house they want, but many don't know how much they can afford.  You can determine what you can really afford by dividing your gross income by three.  This means that, as a rule of thumb, your total housing expense, including taxes and insurance, all these should not exceed one-third of your gross monthly income!

Step 2.
Know what you want
Do you want lower initial payments or long-term stability?  Do you need a home office?  A guest room?  Make a checklist of your basic requirements.  Old house or new?  What location would you like?  Are schools nearby?  What are the neighbors like, the traffic patterns, crime rate?  You save a lot of time and effort by knowing what you want BEFORE you start looking.

Step 3.
Let your REALTOR® be your guide.
A good REALTOR® knows the housing market and is your best guide, even if the house you want is listed elsewhere or is being sold by the owner.  CENTURY 21 McNairy & Associates can also find homes you couldn't.  To help minimize your search for a home, be efficient, let us get you pre-approved.  Knowing what you can afford now can keep you from being disqualified later due to price.

Step 4.
Make the most of house hunting.
You'll see many homes along the way.  Bring along pen and paper maybe a camera.   this will keep each house distinct in your mind.  If you don't care for a house, tell your REALTOR® this to help him narrow the search.  And remember, it's easy to become infatuated with a house and overlook its faults.  Stay objective.

CENTURY 21 McNairy & Associates 38780 Trade Center Dr., Suite 2G Palmdale, CA 93551 (661) 575-8980

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