Carolyn,

There is no substitute for a highly experienced real estate professional. If you know what you want, and it is reasonable and available finding a great home should invlove you review suggestions on line, making suggestions to your broker and going out 3 or less times viewing 15 or fewer homes. I have been a broker in Marietta for 33 years and would be happy to assist you. Give me a call or e-mail at 404-978-2281 or bruce@LocationLocationLocation.com

Carolyn,

The purchasing of a home is one of the largest investments and decisions in a person's lifetime, yet, it's frequently a learning process instead of an educated, well thought out course of action. The better prepared and knowledgeable your agent is, the more efficient the search for your dream home will be. I always sit down with my buyers and chart out a plan of action dependent upon an extensive questionaire. An agent who knows the market, including off-market properties, will find you the best home for the most competive price.

Simply contact me and I will send you a free copy of my book, Answers From Experts on Buying a Home.

Lynn Horner Baker 770 579-4060

Depends on your criteria.

Maybe as little as an hour. Maybe a year (if you're very picky or if you have unusual requirements.)

It's really up to you.

With an orgainized methodical approach, probably not long. With a scattered random approach, probably a long time. The single most important thing to do first is find an agent to guide you -

http://hounddogrealestate.com/about-hound-dog/how-do-you-fin…

Hank

Wow Carolyn, we need a crystal bowl....
You know we just do not have enough information....But just to respond with some information, in most areas of the US we are in a buyers market, we do not even now if you are talking about renting or buying, I will assume since now you are a renter that you may want to buy, so you are in a good place when it comes to buying as you will have quite a bit of choices, but then it really depends on our price range, type and size of home, locations,
your available down payment, your credit, lender pre-approval etc. etc. and even if you want to rent another place,
and there should be enough rentals to select from, all of the above will still fit into the equation.

Here is my very BEST suggestion, find an experienced area Realtor, who will work as you Buyer or renter
representative/Agent, on your behalf and in your interest, not only finding you the right place but also getting
you pre-approved and all all the ducks in a row so that you are ready to go forward if and when you and your Realtor find the right place for you, and thereafter he/she will guide you through the entire process.

Do not do this on your own.

Time, depending on your needs and the a.m. items, could be quickly or could take a few months, it just
depends...

Take care and good luck to you!
Edith YourRealtor4Life and Chicago and Northern Illinois Expert
Working always in the very BEST interest of her clients

Your financial standing, level of market knowledge, available inventory and most importantly, your attitude will primarily dictate how long it may take to find the right home. A good agent is key for assistance with all these and more.

Best of luck,

Oggi Kashi
Broker Associate, Paragon Real Estate Group CA DRE 01844627
All data from sources deemed reliable but subject to error and omission, and not warranted.

If you know what you really want and where you want to be, the process CAN be quick and SHOULD be quite painless.

Good question but the answer is it depends on how prepared you are to buy. Have you been preapproved for a mortgage? Do you have a property to sell? Where are you looking and how much inventory is available that meets your needs? How flexible you are and most importantly how good your real estate agent is at asking the right questions to know what it is you are looking for? Also the agent needs to know if what you are looking for something realistic or not? So the answer is it depends on many different factors! These factors are all key to the timing and results of finding you a home. Realistically if you are realistic it shouldn't take a long time to find you a home because most areas have alot of inventory. I would welcome the opportunity to assist you find a new home!

Carolyn - depending on your motivation and what you are looking for (beds, baths, special features) it is not that hard to find a home. I have known buyers who find their perfect home the first time out. Getting through the process takes a bit longer.

If you would like to call or email me with your search criteria I can set up a site that will email you with homes that meet your specific criteria.

Best Wishes, and Happy House Hunting

MaKay Swanson
Maximum One Greater Atlanta
404-993-4474
movenow@makayswanson.com

Carolyn,

The answer depends on a number of factors:

1) your needs and if what you need is available now.

2) your time frame - when you need a home?

3) your motivation - how picky you might be?

4) your budget? what do you have to spend?

5) your location? where do you want to live and if anything in that area is available that meets your needs.

6) how good your realtor is that you have chosen to assist you.

With all that said the fastest is probably 1-2 days and the longest could be 1-2 weeks. Again, depending on the answer to all the questions above. It could take months if your answers above aren't reasonable or realistic. Hope that helps.