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But with so many websites out there, where do you start? How do you know which sites are worth visiting and which are not. It can be a real case of information overload. This article will lighten your load by recommending some premium online resources.
Finding a Home
When looking for a house to buy, use as many different sources as possible. Read your local newspaper. Keep an eye out for those "For Sale" signs. And of course, use the Internet. Here are some sites to help you with your search:
http://www.Homes.com
http://www.Realtor.com
http://www.realestate.yahoo.com
You should also seek out the websites of real estate agents in your area. You can use Google to find them, simply by entering "homes for sale +your city name."
Mortgage Calculators
Online mortgage calculators are a quick way to determine the approximate monthly mortgage on a particular house, based on the price, the interest rate and the length of loan. Keep in mind these numbers don't account for closing costs and other variables. Still, they give you a pretty good idea as to where your comfort zone lies, based on monthly payments.
Always use more then one mortgage calculator, to verify the numbers they give you.
http://www.mortgage-calc.com
http://www.mortgage101.com/calculators
http://www.fanniemae.com/homebuyers/calculators
11 Steps Away From Buying Your Dream HomeThere is no doubt that the market for houses has been on fire recently. More and more people are taking advantage of low interest rates and easy mortgage loan terms to go from being renters to being home owners. With so many people entering the market, it is inevitable that questions will arise.
There are many things to consider when buying your first home. Some of the most important steps to buy a house are:
Step 1: Learning the home buying process
Start by learning as much as you can about how the home buying and mortgage application process works. Read as much as you can about buying a h ..
http://www.homebuyinginstitute.com/calculators.html
http://www.money.cnn.com/tools
Current Interest Rates
Interest rates are one of the ingredients that determine your total monthly payment. Here are some sites that will help you keep up with interest rates. As with everything else, it's wise to use several different sites to get an accurate overall picture.
http://www.mortgage101.com/rates
http://www.money.cnn.com/rates
http://www.interest.com
http://www.bankrate.com
http://www.compareinterestrates.com
Finding a Home Inspector
A home inspection is a "must have" for any home buyer. With a home inspection, you'll enjoy peace of mind and avoid costly oversights. Here are some websites to help you find a certified home inspector:
http://www.homeinspections-usa.com
Basics Of Home Buying
The most important investment you will ever make is probably the purchase of a home. Finding the right home for you can be a long and arduous process, but there is no getting around that.
Know Your Wants And Needs
Before embarking on your journey of house hunting, you must know what you really want to find. Sit down with pen and paper and list all the features you care most about, such as:
- Location (in a particular city, school district or neighborhood)
- Size -- how many bedrooms and bathrooms
- Parking -- a 1-car garage or 2?
- Style -- 2-story house or ranch style home?
- Heati ..
">http://www.homeinspection.com
http://www.ashi.org (American Society of Home Inspectors)
http://www.nahi.org (National Association of Home Inspectors)
Real Estate News
Keeping up with real estate news will help you understand the market you're entering. By knowing what's happening across the nation and in your state, you can better prepare yourself for the home buying process. Here are some websites to help:
http://www.inman.com
http://www.rismedia.com
http://www.money.cnn.com/real_estate
A Complete Home-Buying Resource
The websites listed above will help you research individual topics. But what if you want to learn about the home buying process from A to Z? The Home Buying Institute has hundreds of helpful articles across 12 home buying categories. You'll also find mortgage calculators, real estate news, an A-to-Z home buying glossary and more!
Visit: http://www.HomeBuyingInstitute.com
* Copyright 2006, Brandon Cornett.
About the Author:
Brandon Cornett is the editor of http://HomeBuyingInstitute.com" target="_blank"> http://HomeBuyingInstitute.com, one of the Internet's largest libraries of home buying tips and articles. Put this knowledge to use by visiting http://www.HomeBuyingInstitute.com" target="_blank"> http://www.HomeBuyingInstitute.com.
Source: http://www.isnare.com Brandon CornettHome Buying Tips: 21 Websites To Save You Time And Energy
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