SGN Page 31

Real Estate

Buyer basics for the new homeowner
Youre watching that perfect Tudor on Hawthorne, the Queen Anne on Stewart, and that Georgian FSBO (for sale by owner). Who knows, maybe you can negotiate a better deal on it versus an agency listing. There are so many incredible houses and all yours for the choosing. Sound like you? Absolutely. Gear it down if youre already obsessing about colors. This is probably the biggest investment of your life, for better or worse. We all know someone whos had a nightmare buying a house. The agent didnt want to show me houses I liked the neighborhood offered nothing I didnt qualify for the loan sad, but true. Approach your purchase from an informed perspective. Bounce the ball in your own court with smart options for savvy buyers in the know. Know your budget. Be realistic here. If you can afford $250K but want a house that costs $500K, youll be disappointed. Short of a miracle, it wont happen. Its not the agents job to get the price lowered. After all, theyre not miracle workers, theyre professionals. Know your credit history. Dont know whats in your credit report? Find out before you try to buy a house. If there are discrepancies, seek verification. Contact creditors, pay valid debts and have invalid issues removed. Opt for pre-qualification with a reputable lender at www.GayMortgageLoans.com. Know your taste. Most people either love or hate one type of house. If you know a Ranch style house wont work, dont waste your time or the agents looking. Dont feel obligated to look at a house you dont like. Even if its affordable, youll never enjoy it. Buying too quickly may lead to a missed treasure. Know your neighborhood requisites. Love the arts and fine dining? You may have to commute if you buy a suburban or rural home. Spotting the bookmobile in the area is a sure clue there arent many local amenities. Look for your essentials before buying. Wheres the mall? What about mass transit? Cable, DSL or T1? Know your risks. Only one reason people try to sell a house themselves money. An agents fee typically comes from the sellers proceeds, so the seller pays, not the buyer. Buyers can typically be represented free! Real estate agents go beyond showing houses. To start with, agents are licensed and know the pros and cons of purchase contracts and negotiations. They know the neighborhood amenities and the sales prices of comparable properties. Rather not pay expenses that the seller should have paid? Real estate agents know who pays what. Know your rights. As a member of the GLBT community, you have equal rights in housing. No agent or owner can rightfully ask questions about sexual orientation, steer or limit choices to areas considered Gay-only or no Gays, or refuse a sale of certain property to Gays. Fantastic in a perfect world. But since its not perfect yet, find a real estate agent specializing in serving the GLBT community by visiting www.GayRealEstate.com or call toll free (888) 420-MOVE (6683). www.GayRealEstate.com