Hudson Valley Happenings Blog : February 2008

You are looking for a new house.  You have spoken with a mortgage representative who has given you the amount you are qualified for and you are surprised that the amount is so high.  Make sure that you have asked how much your monthly payment will be for principle and interest.  Remember that you will need to add 1/12 of the taxes plus insurance to each payment.  OK.... now you have an idea of how much house you can actually afford and still pay for the other things you need to buy like food and clothing.

Most home-buyers start their search on the Internet.  They will go on a real estate search engine or to a broker's website and search through the available homes in the area they want to live in.  Once they find some homes that they like they will start calling the agent's that have those houses listed.  They will make appointments to see those houses with the listing agents and will go to see homes without representation. WHAT???? Yes, the agent who is showing them the house works for the seller.  A Listing Agent is looking out for the best interests of the people who hired them.  I can't understand why anyone would want to make one of the most expensive purchases they will ever make without representation.

If you choose to work with a Buyer's Agent you will have someone on your side.  A good buyer's agent will do the search for you, put together a tour so you can see a variety of houses in your price range, and provide you with all the information and resources you need to make the right decision. 

I wish you luck with your search and hope you will give me a call if you are looking to purchase a home in Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster counties of New York State or if you would like a referral to a good buyer's agent in your search area.