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and a wise investment but is for those mature enough to make wise decisions.

If you have decided to purchase property my advice to you would be:

1. Choose a Realtor with a reliable Realty company to show you properties that meet your specific needs and wants. It's usually best to avoid For Sale By Owner homes. Owners don't always tell you things you should know about the house where they are forced to if it's with a Realty company.

2. Really look! Don't ever be rushed into buying a home. Look at several properties before making a decision. If married, talk it over.
3. If you have children, or intend to have children, check out the school system closest to the house.
4. Once you've chosen a home remember the Realtor is required to show you a disclosure signed by the seller stating any known defect they are aware of in the house. Make sure they show it to you.
5. Check the roof and ask the Realtor how old it is. They are required to tell you if you ask. If you don't some won't unless it's on the disclosure form.
6. Ditto on the heating and cooling system. How old is the heat pump? Or gas furnace? Central air system?
7. Look at the windows. Do they look and feel like they fit tight in the frames and is the woodwork or casing intact? Bad windows can cost lots of money in heating and cooling bills.
8. Be sure to have a termite inspection! You might want a radon inspection also if you live in a very rocky area.
9. Be sure to ask for a home inspection! This is done by a professional and you will bear the cost of it but it can save you a lot of headaches down the road!
10. Choose your mortgage lender wisely! The Realtor will offer some suggestions but you are free to look on your own and in some cases you might find a lower mortgage payment by shopping for the loan yourself. In general the lower rates are with mortgage companies and not your local bank but check out several before deciding on one lender.

If you follow all these steps and the home inspects out alright then you should be able to enjoy that home for years to come. Your Realtor will take care of all the legal paperwork to close the sale of the home for you other than your applying for the loan and showing up for a final walkthrough and the closing itself.

Learn more about this author, Ty Fillers.
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