Besides saving money what is your first step in buying a home?

Wouldnt even know where to begin. Everyone seems to have different answers. We are not starting now because we still have to clean up a few more credit issues and then make sure we have enough for a downpmt. However, we dont know what we are supposed to do besides this. Help!!!!!!!

Re: Besides saving money what is your first step in buying a home?

I think you're on the right track - fixing your credit and saving $. both are very important.

maybe you can start researching areas and schools, etc.

good luck

Re: Besides saving money what is your first step in buying a home?

When we were getting ready to but a house our library offered a first-time home buyers seminar. It was very inexpensive and they talked about credit ratings, interest rates, mortgages, PMI...stuff we did not know about.
I would try to acquaint myself with all the terms.

Good Luck!

Re: Besides saving money what is your first step in buying a home?

I was always told by realtors to decide where you want to live (based on school district, commute time, proximity to family, friends or activities - whatever is important to you). You should look into the neighborhoods you like and maybe look online to see what prices the homes are selling for. If it doesn't look like you will be able to afford your first choice, consider your second (or third or fourth). Or consider that you might want to wait to save some more $$$ so you could afford that neighborhood. Oh - and also figure out what your could afford to spend. It helps you be realistic in your search.

Re: Besides saving money what is your first step in buying a home?

Posted by LuckyMe

Wouldnt even know where to begin. Everyone seems to have different answers. We are not starting now because we still have to clean up a few more credit issues and then make sure we have enough for a downpmt. However, we dont know what we are supposed to do besides this. Help!!!!!!!

Re: Besides saving money what is your first step in buying a home?

Thanks all terrific advice. Right now we live in Massapequa and would like to stay here. However I would love to live out in Manorville also you get sooooo much more for your money but at housing prices right now we cant afford either so we hope that by the time we know what we need to do maybe the market will start to fall. Im going to look into the library seminars and someone mentioned to me that they do classes for first time home buyers so Im wainting to see if they have any coming up. I also know that the college does them so I'll watch for them. Again thanks sooo much. Anything else you can think of that's important to know please let me know.

Re: Besides saving money what is your first step in buying a home?

Posted by LuckyMe

Thanks all terrific advice. Right now we live in Massapequa and would like to stay here. However I would love to live out in Manorville also you get sooooo much more for your money but at housing prices right now we cant afford either so we hope that by the time we know what we need to do maybe the market will start to fall. Im going to look into the library seminars and someone mentioned to me that they do classes for first time home buyers so Im wainting to see if they have any coming up. I also know that the college does them so I'll watch for them. Again thanks sooo much. Anything else you can think of that's important to know please let me know.

Re: Besides saving money what is your first step in buying a home?

I know!! It's amazing how so many things are supposed to be set up for people with low incomes to buy houses but with the market prices of these houses it seems that the things I've heard of are really useless, unless you are very handy or want to live in a neighbor you really wouldnt want to buy a house in anyhow. That's why I want to get as much info. as possible.