CTC Land and Home Real Estate

Taken from RIS Media-The Leader in  Real Estate Information System - May 25,2010

     by Dan Steward

Tips for Buyers:

"1. Don't buy if you don't plan to stay

If you can't commit to remaining in one place for at least a few years, then owning is probably not for you, at least not yet. With the transaction costs of buying and selling a home, you may end up losing money...

2. Start by shoring up your credit

Since you probably will need to get a mortgage to buy a house, you must make sure your credit history is as clean as possible. A few months before you start house hunting, get copies of your credit report. Make sure the facts are correct, and fix any problems you discover.

3. Choose carefully between points and rate

When picking a mortgage, you usually have the option of paying additional points-a portion of the interest that you pay at closing-in exchange for a lower interest rate. If you stay in the house for a long time-say three to five years or more-it's usually a better deal to take the points. The lower interest rate will save you more in the long run.

4. Hire a home inspector

A home inspector can let you know if you're about to buy a lemon or warn you about potential problems. At least, you can move into the house confident that it's in good shape; at worst, the inspector's report can let you negotiate the home price to account for necessary repairs.

5. Get professional help

Even though the Internet gives buyers unprecedented access to home listings, most new buyers (and many more experienced ones) are better off using a professional agent. Look for an exclusive buyer agent, if possible, who will have your interests at heart and can help you with strategies during the bidding process.

6. Bonus Tip: Be patient

Buying a home is one of the largest purchases most people will make in their lifetime. The key to avoiding buyer's remorse is to be completely comfortable before signing on the dotted line."


 Did you know that sellers who choose to use a real estate professional will make on the average 16 percent more on the sale of their home?  


 It is possible to do a Property Search within this site. Our office belongs to two MLS Systems, Ithaca/Tompkins County and Cayuga/Greater Syracuse area, which now includes the Cortland area.