Are you ready to buy a home?

I found the article below on MSN Real Estate. If you are a first time home buyer, it is a great resource, checklist, and timeline of what you should be doing before you buy a home and when. Below is a summary, so click the link at the end for the full story and details.
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Get your house in order before you start shopping. Here's what you need to do, and when.
By Liz Pulliam Weston, MSN Real Estate

Buying a home is a complicated process, and it can be particularly daunting for the first-timer. The following timeline starts one year before you hope to start seriously shopping for a home. This is an ideal; you can arrange your finances and buy a home in less time, if necessary, but you'd be smart to walk through all of the steps in order. The more time you give yourself for this process, the better.



A year out (or as soon as possible)

• Get your credit reports.
• Get -- and improve -- your FICO credit scores.
• Consider a credit-monitoring service.
• Deal with your debt.
• Save, save, save.
• Put your bills on automatic.

6 months out

• Sort through your mortgage options.
• Start calculating how much house you can afford.
• Research all the costs of owning a home.
• Adjust your saving strategies.

3 months out

• Reduce your credit utilization.
• Don't open or close any accounts.

2 months out

• Get an idea of the mortgage rate you can expect.
• Understand the effect of mortgage-shopping on your score.
• Get approved for a mortgage ahead of time.
• Consider a mortgage broker.
• Begin researching neighborhoods and look for an agent. *
  - Check out the real estate agent directory at DoorFly.com -- These agents are qualified and will offer you money back for the priveledge of being your real estate agent.
  - Read about and beware of 6 signs of a crummy real estate agents.

Once you've found your home and your offer is accepted

• Shop for a mortgage.
• Arrange for an appraisal, a home inspection and a walk-through.
• Get homeowners insurance. *
  Things to consider when purchasing homeowners insurance.
• Confirm how much money you'll need at closing.

Enjoy your new home!
Read the full story >>
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This real estate article is a great outline to follow or at least be aware of when planning to buy a home. I wish my husband and I had seen this list when we purchased our first home...