10 Steps to Prepare for Home Ownership

10 Steps to Prepare for Home Ownership

1. Decide how much home you can afford. Generally, you can afford a home equal in value to between 2 and 3 times your gross income.

2. Develop a wish list of what you'd like your home to have. Then prioritize the features on your list.

3. Select three or four neighborhoods you'd like to live in. Consider items such as schools, recreational facilities, area expansion plans, and safety.

4. Determine if you have enough saved to cover your downpayment and closing costs. Closing costs, including taxes, attorney's fee, and transfer fees average between 2 and 7 percent of the home price.

5. Get your credit in order. Obtain a copy of your credit report.

6. Determine how large a mortgage you can qualify for. Also explore different loans options and decide what's best for you.

7. Organize all the documentation a lender will need to preapprove you for a loan.

8. Do research to determine if you qualify for any special mortgage or downpayment assistance programs.

9. Calculate the costs of homeownership, including property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and association fees, if applicable.

10. Find an experienced REALTOR® who can help you through the process.

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© Christopher Rich, Connecticut's Gay Realtor - 2005

              2525 Post Road • Southport, CT 06890
              (203) 768-5222

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Christopher Rich is a full-service, gay Connecticut real estate agent providing real estate services to the GLBT (gay, lesbian, bi and transgendered) community. Christopher specialized in Fairfield County and New Haven County real estate, but can assist clientele throughout CT. Some of the many services that he can provide for you include a FREE home buyer and seller consultation, Community information, a FREE Comparative Market Analysis of your home, home buyer and seller representation, real estate listing and marketing services, MLS listing and searching including daily email notifications, mortgages, insurance, title and settlement services , home warranty programs, relocation, HOMEefficient Moving™ In services and more.

Some of the Connecticut cities that Christopher services include Bethany, Bethel, Bridgeport, Brookfield, Cos Cob, Danbury, Darien, East Haven, East Norwalk, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Hamden, Milford, Monroe, New Canaan, New Fairfield, New Haven, Newtown, North Haven, Norwalk, Old Greenwich, Orange, Oxford, Redding, Ridgefield, Shelton, South Norwalk, Southbury, Southport, Stamford, Stratford, Terryville, Trumbull, West Haven, West Norwalk, Weston, Westport, Wilton and Woodbridge.

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