Buying a Home

How to house hunt like a pro

It's the American dream - a house to call a home. Perhaps you like a white picket fence or a room with a view. Whatever your preference, your home is not only a shelter, it's also a major investment.

According to Pew Research, some 34 percent of homeowners in this country reveal that the home is their most important financial asset and accounts for "all or most" of personal financial worth.¹ Our homes are big investments with equally large mortgages.

Homeownership is a huge responsibility - financially and personally. There's certainly the mortgage to consider, which can often last for 30 years. But there's also the upkeep and expense of maintenance to keep in mind. There's everything from cutting the grass and putting on a new roof to paying taxes, insurance and utility bills.

To find the perfect home for your lifestyle and your budget, it's important to consider nine important steps to home ownership. These steps will guide you through the decision-making process; prepare you for finding the right home for your needs and desires; and equip you with the financial know-how to ensure you're making the best choice for your budget.

It's called house hunting for a reason. You have to be alert, focused and aware of every move. And those are important traits to have in today's housing market where you can buy and sell, appreciate and default.

1 http://pewresearch.org/pubs/322/as-home-prices-cool-down
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