Carol Ann Dunn has over 14 years experience in Real Estate. Here are some of her favorite tips that all home buyers should know:

Avoid the Wrong House - Believe it or not, many people make the costly mistake of buying the wrong house! It might be too large, too small, or in the wrong location. Avoid this #1 problem by working with us to determine your current and future needs. We will help you define which size is suitable, what location is best, if a fixer-upper is right for you, and what your budget can handle.

Know the Market - Too many buyers make offers above the market value of the property or miss a value because they don't know the housing market. Ask us for a comparative market analysis so that you can avoid underbidding or over paying for a home.

Inspections - Avoid surprises by having a professional home inspector check the home and property. Ask the inspector to provide a written report that lists any items that might need repair, the approximate cost to repair, and the consequences of leaving them alone. The contract settlement should be contingent upon the inspector's report.

Avoid Seller Slip-up - Take a list of the items that the seller has agreed to repair or otherwise deal with to the pre-settlement walk-through. Check the list carefully. But be prepared to set a dollar amount for an escrow fund for items that might have fallen through the cracks.

Beware of Junk Fees - Some lenders may try to add questionable fees and charges at closing that aren't noted on the Truth-In-Lending form. These could include "underwriting fees", "loan disbursement charges", "tax service fee", "courier fee", or markups on court documentation costs. Ask the lender when you apply for your loan exactly which fees and charges are included on the federal settlement forms and what additional fees will be charges at closing. Sometimes the fees can be negotiated down or even waived if a customer complains.

Closing Rush Surprises - Insist in seeing the settlement sheets the day before closing. You will avoid last minute problems, such as incorrect interest rate points, or other surprises.

Remember, sometimes missing a settlement date because of a last minute snag will endanger the lock-in interest rate. Avoid being trapped by a closing date that is too tight. Get a 60-day lock-in for your loan interest rate. Whenever possible, give yourself that much time to close the sale.

Smart Buyers today Never buy a home alone-
"Why do I need a buyer's agent?"

Buying a home is probably the most important purchase you'll ever make. Do you want to go about alone? Until a few years ago, home buyers had no choice. They decided upon a home to buy and negotiated the contract without representation.

Traditionally, all residential real-estate agents represented the home seller. That was true of the "listing Agent" who put the home up for sale, as well as the agent who found the buyer. That agent who helped the buyer find the right home actually worked for the seller! Under that traditional system, all agents were legally bound to represent the seller, leaving the buyer with no representation.

Now buyers have a choice.

If you are a buyer, you no longer need to represent yourself. During the home search and purchase, smart buyers can receive undivided confidential attention by choosing a "buyers agent".

In fact, 71% of home buyers surveyed in a recent call up poll for the National Association of Realtors said that they would use a buyers agent the next time they purchased a home!

At last, you do not have to buy a home alone! Now you, like the seller can have someone on your side looking after your best interests!!

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