Real Estate Agent  Did you know?

The biggest, most expensive house on the street is usually not considered to be the best investment. The best investment potential is traditionally found in a less expensive, more moderately sized home on the street.

After you have considered how much money you can put toward a down payment, and how large a mortgage you can qualify for, you will have a good idea of your price range. Now you should decide on the home style, whether or not you have a vision of your "dream house." You probably have some idea of the "look" and size of the house you want, and what location suits you, however making a wish list of important criteria can help you and your real estate professional assess your house-hunting requirements. By narrowing the range of suitable houses, you will waste less time looking at undesirable homes that don't meet your requirements.

New versus older home

Current real estate and MLS statistics show that eight out of ten homebuyers purchase an existing rather than a newly-built home. Some people like the idea of moving into a brand new house. On the other hand, many people prefer older homes because they may offer special features and more space for the money. If you're handy with tools, you may be willing to consider a house that needs work (what the real estate ads call a "handy-man special" or "fixer-upper"). You may insist on a house that is in perfect condition, but most home buyers fall somewhere between these two extremes, and even finicky buyers often decide to accept some imperfections when they see the price of perfection.

Newly-built houses are typically clustered together in areas where the sizes, styles, and prices of the homes are much the same. New homes are likely to have more efficient heating systems, may be better insulated, and should cost less to maintain than older homes. Older homes, on the other hand, may be larger, more unique, made with better quality materials, and are located closer to the action than the sprawling suburbs.

Location

For many people, the location of the home is probably the most important consideration. For many others, location may not be a choice. You may already know in what neighborhood you will be looking for a home.

Choosing a neighborhood
Consider what's important to you. Do you need to find a home that is near your job site, public services, or day care facilities, or are you willing and able to travel some distance to and from work in order to live in a specific neighborhood? Are neighborhood schools a major factor in your home buying decision? Is nearness to shopping, recreational activities, or public transportation particularly important?

Size requirements

In choosing a home, an important consideration is the number and the size of the rooms. Is the house large enough or too large for your family size? Will your family soon outgrow this house? Will you be paying for "more house" than you need? The amount of land on which the house sits (the size of the lot) will also influence the price of a house. If space for a yard, garden, or off-street parking is important to you, this may narrow or expand your options.

In determining the size of the house to buy you will want to consider both your current and your future housing needs. You will want to consider looking for a house that will be adequate for at least the next 5 to 15 years.

Special features

You should also consider whether there are any special features in a home that would be particularly important to you and your family. Do you need space for a laundry facility? Is a garage a necessity? How about a second bathroom? A porch? Central air conditioning? Wheelchair accessibility? Wiring for internet access? You may not find a house in your price range that offers everything you want, but it helps to be able to tell a real estate professional what features are most important to you.

Types of homes

Your decision as to the type of neighborhood you want will have considerable bearing on the style of houses that will be available.

Real Estate Agent  Keep in mind

Rental income can help with your housing costs.

Many home financing plans, including FHA and VA can be used for buildings up to 4 units, if the buyer intends to occupy one of them.

A single family home
This is a real estate term for "house." As the nomenclature implies, this is a single structure that occupies its own lot for the purposes of housing one owner-occupied residence. When you search the Realtor® Multiple Listing Service (MLS), you will find "houses" listed under the single family home category. Compare this type of home to a multi-family home, which can be a duplex, a four-plex or any other type of multiple residence property in which the owner may occupy one of the units (and rent out the others), or simply rent out all the units as income-producing property.

Pinellas Homes for Sale

Condominiums (Condos)
Condominiums are the starter home of choice for many homebuyers today because they are generally smaller and less expensive than the conventional single family home. The term "condominium" does not describe a particular style of architecture, but rather a type of joint ownership. Each unit is individually owned, while the facilities and common space (the surrounding land, the hallways and elevators, and any recreational facilities) are owned collectively by all the owners. In addition to the monthly mortgage payment, condo owners also pay a common area assessment (or "condo fee") which pays for the management of the complex, the upkeep of the common property areas, and sometimes even the cost of the utilities. A condo can combine some of the advantages (and disadvantages) of apartment living with those of home ownership.

Condo owners can reap the same financial benefits (tax breaks and equity buildup) as other homeowners without many of the traditional chores of homeownership, such as fixing a leaky roof and mowing the yard. Moreover, condos often offer such amenities as landscaping, meeting rooms, and recreation rooms, and many are planned communities offering wooded areas and play space.

Selecting a condo is more complex than buying a single family home. You need to investigate not only the specific unit in which you are interested, but also the entire project from both a physical and financial standpoint. A townhouse condo is another type of condominium in which units of two or more stories share common walls. Each unit has its own ground space but like other condos, the common spaces and facilities are collectively owned by all the unit owners.

Cooperatives (Co-ops)
Co-ops resemble condos in that they involve a form of collective ownership. However, legally they are quite different. Co-op owners own shares in a corporation rather than owning the individual units in which they live. Cooperatives are a well-established form of ownership in New York City and some other parts of the country, and can also be found in the downtown area of St. Petersburg.

Planned unit developments (PUDs)
A planned unit development is a project or subdivision that consists of common property that is owned and maintained by an owner's association for the benefit and use of individual PUD unit owners. Many "retirement communities" are planned unit developments.

Manufactured housing
Most new homes in the United States are site-built to state and local codes, but an increasing number are becoming "manufactured housing." Manufactured homes are built in a factory and then assembled on the lot, or they can be prefabricated housing units which include but are not limited to mobile homes. Often, manufactured homes can look like a site-built home, so ask the owner if you have any questions.

Local. Experienced.

Advantages of Home Ownership Advantages of Home Ownership Owning your own home can be a first-rate investment for a number of reasons, and there are also some advantages specific to Florida, too.

The Costs of Owning a Home The Costs of Owning a Home Your American Dream can come true with realistic goals, careful planning, and a clear understanding of the costs that will be involved.

Determining Your Price Range Determining Your Price Range How much home can you afford? There are more factors involved than just comparing your paychecks to your expenses.

Prequalifying for a Home Mortgage Prequalifying for a Home Mortgage The first step in the home search is home financing. Getting pre-qualified for a mortgage loan is necessary in today's market.

More Home for Your Money More Home for Your Money There are creative ways to make your money work for you when buying a home, and a little research can go a long way.

Deciding What You Really Want Deciding What You Really Want There are some simple things to consider before you start calling Realtors, and your final choices may surprise you.

Finding <em>Who</em> Finds Your Home Finding Who Finds Your Home Working with one real estate agent who has your confidence is better than stringing along several who question whether you are serious.

What to Look For When Looking What to Look For When Looking Not all homes are created equal. There are ways to assess the quality of a home in the same way appraisers look at homes.

Shopping for a Home Loan Shopping for a Home Loan With so many lenders advertising mortgage rates in Florida, how do you know which ones are good, and which ones are teasers?

Comparing Loan Terms Comparing Loan Terms So how do you know which mortgage offer is the one for you? Hint: take a look at more than just the interest rate.

Applying for the Loan Applying for a Home Loan You have the information the bank wants, but do you know how to present it to them in a way that will get you approved for the mortgage?

Mortgage Loan Processing Mortgage Loan Processing What is happening behind the scenes after you submit your application? A lot. Here's an inside look from the lender's perspective.

If Your Application is Rejected If Your Application is Rejected Getting turned down is not the end of the world, and it doesn't mean you have to give up looking. It just means you need a little help.

Negotiating the Purchase Price Negotiating the Purchase Price How do you negotiate the purchase price when you do find the right house? Hint: it's really more than about the price.

Contingencies in the Offer Contingencies in the Offer You've made the offer on a home, and now it feels like a tug-of-war. How do you move forward, and how do you get out of a bad deal?

Preparing for the Closing Preparing for the Closing What comes next, who does it, and how do you know it's being done in time? Preventing surprises at closing, and protecting your interests.

As Closing Day Approaches As Closing Day Approaches In the final weeks before your closing, there will be the title search, the survey of the property, and your final walk-though inspection.

The Day of Closing The Day of Closing The day of closing is finally here. So what you can expect? Here is an explanation of the documents and the closing costs you may encounter.