Step 4 to Purchasing a Home

Once you have expressed your wants and needs to your realtor in step 3, he can set up an autosearch for you on the MLS. This will automatically email you listings that match your criteria. This is a much better tool than the average internet search. Unlike the average internet search, it will sort out the active listings that are currently under contract. It will also notify you of price changes on properties that match your criteria. As you look through the listings, you can decide which ones you'd like to take a look at. Your realtor will then set up appointments for the showings. It's best not to look at more than 5 in any one day. It gets a little confusing if you try to do more than that. After each home you look at, you should decide whether or not you like it better than the best one you have seen so far. That way you're only comparing 2 homes, the one you just looked at to the best one you've seen previously. Once you've decided on a home, your agent will get you a copy of the Seller's Disclosure Statement and, if applicable, the Lead Based Paint Disclosure. The Seller's Disclosure Statement is required from all sellers. It is a list of any defects in the property that the seller has knowledge of. The Lead Based Paint Disclosure is only necessary if the home was built prior to 1978. The agent should also check to see if there are any regime fees or Home Owners Association(HOA) fees or covenents. Condo regime fees may include things such as insurance, pest control, cable, etc. Once you have decided to make an offer on a home, we can move to step five which is writing the contract and negotiating the offer.