Vero, All good advice from these great Realtors, but none of them are working in New York and noen of them are aware that we do things a bit differently here; perhaps even a little archaic...and we are attorney driven.

I am not in your sales area and have nothing to profit by, but if you want to either email me Gail@GailGladstone.com and give me a call 631-425-6150, I would be happy to 1) help you get ready BEFORE you start looking at homes 2) guide you through the process. When you are really in a position to start looking, I would be happy to recommend a really top Realtor in your area.

Feel free to call on me.

Our recommendation is to take your time, not rush into anything, and become as informed about the process as possible. Begin with visiting several loan specialists to become pre-approved for financing. Be sure to request a "Good Faith Estimate" from each individual you work with. This is nothing more than a written account of the programs and rates the agent presented you with.

Attending "open houses" may provide you with a better understanding of the various locations in your target area as well as acquaint you with some possible agent to consider working with.

Good luck

Vero, Buying a home is a big investment, but can be one of the most exciting things you will ever do. You should start by visiting local lending institutions for the best mortgage rates, then find a real estate agent that you feel comfortable with and feel you can trust. Tell your agent what you absolutely want, what you would like to have, but could live without and what you don't want. As you look at homes with your agent, tell him/her what you like and don't like about the house. This will help them know better what you are looking for. Talk to a CPA about the $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers. And most of all have fun.

Hello Vero,
As an experienced loan consultant in the lending business I would first determine how much is the max you can borrow so that you can look for homes in your price range. You should also seek advice from a CPA or accountant regarding how the purchase will affect your taxes and returns. Once you are able to determine your purchasing power, and are comfortable with the payments, you should begin to search in your choice neighborhood(s). If you would like a complimentary loan analysis or approval, feel free to give me a call. I can be reached at 415-424-4349. Best of luck! Al