When you are buying a house, it is a very happy but stressful time. You want to make sure you really like the house you chose, and that you will not face any major problems. This article will guide you through the house buying process. Have fun with it and you will find the perfect house for your needs.

Every real estate agent should contact former clients at holidays and at anniversaries of their purchase date. They will be reminded of how you made their home buying experience a great one. After you finish speaking with them, let them know that you would appreciate it if they felt comfortable referring you to their family members and friends.

If you don’t have any money for a down payment, look for a lender that does 80:20 loans. This is two separate loans. One is for 20%, the down payment amount, and the other is the 80% needed for the purchase loan. Often these come from the same company, but are two separate loans with different payment amounts and interest rates.

When buying a house be sure to have an inspector thoroughly inspect it. The house may look good to the untrained eye, but there may be problems with the structure of the house. A trained home inspector will be able to spot any issues that might be present.

If you need to buy a home quickly, remember that it is important to be flexible. It will be easier to find a home if you are not searching for one that meets a lengthy list of requirements. Narrow down your criteria to only the things that are absolutely crucial for you to have in a new home. Rank your criteria in order of importance, to help you stay focused on what is important as you search.

It really pays to make a list of “must haves” before you begin searching for a new home. What is most important to you? Think of things like a formal dining room or walk in closets. There are plenty of different styles on the real estate market today so it pays to do your research.

When you are considering buying a house, don’t just consider how many bedrooms and how many baths, especially if you are looking at it as an investment. Just as important, is to consider the neighborhood, the school district and the financial situation of those living around you. All of the aforementioned things, can affect the value of the home and thus, the return on your investment.

As you prepare to buy a home, try to pay down any large debts that you have. Lenders want to know that your monthly housing costs are not going to be higher than 33 percent of your gross income. Your total debt payments each month should stay below 38 percent. Do not incur any new debt for at least half a year before buying a home.

When buying a house, the best time to do that is when houses are selling at a low cost. Now would be an excellent time to buy, as houses are at a record low price. Home ownership is still something that makes complete sense for many people, and knowing when to buy is one of the most important things.

Home ownership may be the quintessential American dream, but it should be entered into carefully and with much forethought. The responsibilities that come with owning a home are significant and costs go way beyond the price of the house. Property taxes, HOA fees and home owners insurance are an important part of the long-term picture. It is also essential to remember that home maintenance is a continual process with costs that can get quite steep. Replacing old appliances, repairing roofs and maintaining plumbing and heating systems can implode a budget if not planned for in advance. When you own a house there is no landlord to rely on to make repairs. Be sure you are ready to juggle the true costs of home ownership before you take the plunge.

If you have ever lost a home to foreclosure it may be a little harder to get another home, but it is not impossible. Most mortgage guarantors will back another loan for you after three years if you lost your home due to something that was out of your control.

When you find the perfect home for you and your family and you put in an offer, do not get your hopes up. Other people may have put in an offer that is higher than yours, one that you may not be able to match. In this case, you may have to walk away.

Do not let cosmetic changes, such as rooms that need to be painted, put you off from buying a home. Cosmetic changes are usually easy to fix and often do not cost much money. It is more serious issues, such as water damage or mold, that are costly and difficult to fix.

An inspection that people commonly forget about when purchasing a home is a pest inspection. Make sure to have a pest inspection specialist come to the home before you sign any agreements. You do not want to be stuck with a house that is infected with mice, rats, or termites.

Signing a 6 month or a 1 year long lease can be a tough decision. Make sure that you sit down and meet your future landlord to see that you have a decent working relationship. If the landlord doesn’t appear to be courteous or forthcoming in any way, it is time for you to rethink whether or not that is the right place for you to rent.

You have just read a lot of different advice on home buying. If you didn’t take notes when you read the article, it is a good idea to go back through and write down or highlight all the facts that you found useful. Then you can reference the information you need very quickly.