Why? Every REALTOR has a story about clients who found their dream home after banking hours on a weekend or on a holiday and in the end, lost out to another buyer simply because the seller had no way to know for sure that financing WAS available.

Also, it isn't that uncommon to find errors in your credit report and you will want to have that fixed by the time you want to make an offer. Knowing your price range saves time, energy and disappointment.

WHY? It costs you NOTHING and it imparts a fiduciary responsibility on your REALTOR to act in your best interest.

If you have NOT signed a contract, any REALTOR you call about a property will be legally representing the Seller. That REALTOR will not tell you about any competing property, even if it better fits your needs, if that would be detriment to his client, the Seller.

It takes courage to make a large purchase but you need to be ready to act if you find what you are looking for. Every REALTOR knows clients that have found their dream home and then lost it to someone else because they "thought about it" too long. Even good things cannot happen if you don't act.

No existing home will be exactly as you think it should be since it was designed, built, and decorated by someone other than yourself. New paint, carpet and whatever will usually make your new home customized to your tastes and it will probably gain more value that the costs involved and YOU get to pick the colors.

Look at our website and note the MLS numbers of the homes you are interested in. Visit your REALTOR and look over the entire inventory on the data base that interests you. Drive by your choices so you can determine if the locations and the neighborhood of each choice is workable for you. You will have narrowed your list down now so call your REALTOR and arrange a date to preview the home.

Few things in this life will give you more satisfaction than living in a home you like. The search for that special home can and should be an exciting experience.