If you are house hunting online, here's some must-read advice.
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make. Even if you plan to work with a real estate agent, the Internet can give you a leg up by helping you educate yourself and search for properties. Follow these tips when house shopping online.
- Do the math. The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, commonly known as Freddie Mac, offers online resources to get you started. Online calculators are a great starting point when determining how much house you can afford, but also consider other expenses like utilities and maintenance
- Hone your house search. You know what kind of house you want. The Internet will help you narrow down the options. Use tools such as a Multiple Listing Service to search for homes based on number of bedrooms, price range, proximity to schools or military bases, and other variables.
- Map it. See something you like? type in the home's address into an online mapping service and zoom in for a closer look. The satellite view will help you locate fence lines, outbuildings and landscape features, which are often left out of real estate listing. Switch to street view, and take a virtual tour of the neighborhood. Check out the condition of the neighboring houses and look for power plants, empty lots and other eyesores.
This article was from the Summer 2010 USAA Magazine
Best of luck
Leigh
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