I’ve noticed that how my clients approach the walk-through is a mixed bag. Some treat it with all the seriousness it deserves, while others offer nary a glance as they speed through the home.

So, what should a buyer be on the lookout for during the final walk-through? Plenty. If the seller agreed to make certain repairs, check first to ensure that those repairs were, in fact, made, to the specifications outlined in the purchase agreement. If checking these repairs requires water, gas or electricity, and those services have been shut off, don’t close the escrow until the services are reinstated and you can perform your inspection.

Next, make sure that the rest of the house is in the same condition as when you made the offer. Go through each room and look for recent major damage, such as to walls, baseboards and flooring. Check the attic and basement to ensure the seller didn’t leave behind his unwanted junk. If appliances were included in the sale, check to ensure they are in working condition; run the dishwasher through an entire cycle, check that the icemaker in the freezer is in working order and that the refrigerator remains cold.

Check the plumbing by flushing toilets and running both cold and hot water through all of the faucets. Turn on the heater, then the air conditioner. I once had a client that moved into her home only to find that the garbage disposer was missing. The sellers took it with them. So, tinker with everything you need to tinker with to assure yourself that all is as it should be.

The home should be at least swept clean. If it’s not, request that the seller have it cleaned before you close escrow.

Don’t neglect the exterior of the home. Check that the sprinkler or other irrigation system is in working order. If there’s a timer, did the seller leave the instruction booklet? If not, ask your agent to get it from the listing agent or have the sellers buy you a new one.

Run pool and hot tub equipment, including heaters, lights and filters. Do you understand how to use the control panel for these items? If not, ask your agent to get this information from the seller.

After you’ve signed the closing papers, this house, and any problems, belongs to you. The time for due diligence will have come and gone and you may have little recourse for items you find after the sale. Take your time during the final walk-through, listen to your real estate agent’s advice and you can go to the closing table confident that you are getting what you’re paying for.

You can learn more about buying a home by visiting Kimberley Kelly’s La Quinta real estate website.

Performing Maintenance

When purchasing an older home, it is important to keep in mind that you will likely have more maintenance costs than you would if you purchased a new home. While there are no guarantees that a new home will not have problems, you are more likely to experience issues with an older home. Even routine maintenance issues, such as replacing your furnace or roof, are more likely to be an issue with an older home. Therefore, while you will usually save money when purchasing an older home, be aware that the money you save upfront may still need to be put into your home in terms of maintenance costs.

Addressing Safety Issues

Many older homes have certain safety issues that need to be addressed. When purchasing a new home, for example, you can be sure the wiring and plumbing will be in compliance with the most current safety codes. Older homes, on the other hand, may be grandfathered into the new codes. Therefore, if you want to ensure your home is as safe as possible, you may need to do some major work to get it up to code. As is the case with many Austin homes for sale and elsewhere, it is quite common in older neighborhoods for very few homes to already be up to code.

Making Upgrades

Even if your home is up to code and does not require any immediate maintenance, you may discover that the home needs some upgrades in order to compliment your lifestyle. Many older homes, for example, do not offer dishwashers, garbage disposals or other appliances that are commonly found in newer homes. Similarly, the home may not have energy-efficient windows, appliances or other desirable features. If you want to enjoy these amenities or other popular features, you will need to invest in your home in order to make the necessary upgrades.

For many people, purchasing an older home is the right decision. Before you decide to go this route, however, it is important to explore all of your options and to examine the pros and cons of each in order to determine which option is right for you.

Perhaps more often than one would think, you have two or three competing offers on a home. It’s the experienced agents who can win the majority of the time against competing offers. They know how to work the contract, they know how to work the agent on the other side, etc.

In particular, Boston luxury custom homes are not built by production builders (those that build many homes a year using just a few, set floor plans). Instead, they are built by custom home builders who have experience planning, designing and constructing true, custom homes.

If you are interested in luxury custom homes, then you must consider what to look for in your custom home builder. Here is what you need to look for when it comes to finding builders for luxury custom homes:

• A custom home builder is someone who will either build on your land, in a development, or completely rework an existing home. They build one-of-a-kind houses that are built exactly to their client’s wants, needs and expectations. Builders who build Boston luxury custom homes will build you a home from a unique set of plans conceived and approved by you. Make sure your custom home builder understands your specific needs ahead of time.

• Look for a custom home builder that focuses only on building single-family, custom homes, or that has a demonstrable track record in high-end complete remodels.

• A custom home builder is usually one that builds 25 or fewer homes a year, and is therefore considered a “small-volume” builder.

• Make sure the custom home builder you choose has a strong, local reputation and a history of building homes in the Boston area.

• Contact your local Better Business Bureau, who can alert you to any unresolved complaints with the company.

• Ask for a list of previous customers and referrals. If the builder is unwilling or unable to provide you with a long list of previous customers, it should raise a red flag.

• Before hiring a custom home builder, check out his or her work. If possible, look at both completed and in-progress work and keep a close eye out for the quality of materials used and the workmanship.

• Make sure you establish a good rapport with the home builder. After all, you will be working closely with your custom home builder for months to come.

Keeping in mind the price range that one can afford is imperative, not swaying from that range. Being realistic and cautious, understanding what one can afford to pay monthly, what expenses the property will entail, if one can cover any emergency expenses as well as what household expenses can be expected monthly is significant. Remembering to have the financial means to cover these expenses is fundamental. Secondly, make a list of wants and needs. Writing down what one must have when looking to buy a home and what one truly needs will help to keep things into perspective. Discussing this list with a real estate professional is a good idea as a real estate agent can search for a home based upon the needs and wants making it possible in finding a home that offers both.

Now think about how many rooms are important, size of rooms, square footage of the home, how much storage space there is, and if there is ample and adequate closet space. Specifying items such as these can really narrow down a list of homes if there are several in which are on the market that are of interest.

Evaluate and examine finances and get approved for a mortgage. Now is not the time to drag one’s feet by shying away from the realities of one’s financial situation. Again, be cautious, realistic, open and honest with your real estate professional as they will work diligently in finding the right home based on the financial information that is disclosed. Additionally, knowing where one stands credit-wise will determine what type mortgage one can qualify for and what homes are available based on that information.

Pay attention to every detail when looking to purchase a home. This includes finding the best and most trustworthy real estate professional that offers the experience, knowledge and is qualified to best represent one in this major purchase. Finding a real estate professional that makes one feel at ease and comfortable is also vital. Real estate agents that are familiar with the best selection of homes can save lots of time and money, and puts the homebuyer at a great advantage in that the real estate agent can negotiate effectively with the seller or the seller’s agent.

Some great tips when looking for a home to purchase are to check out the community in which the home is located in; is it safe, close to schools, close to public transportation, shopping, place of business? Also when choosing a home to purchase, check the inside as well as the outside very carefully and be sure to hire a licensed home inspector who can identify potential problems if any. Some common issues that could arise may be related to the A/C, roof, foundation, etc.

Once the final decision to purchase a home has been made, be sure not to rush the process but at the same time don’t waste any time. Now that the real estate market is on the upswing, it is possible that multiple offers could come in on the home so make the move to purchase quickly and efficiently.

After the contract has been accepted, one can look forward in anticipation to move into the home of their dreams. Following these tips only assures a smooth transaction, and proves that the more prepared one is when purchasing a home the less overwhelming and chaotic the buying process can be.

A good thing to look for is going to be the level of organization that the Realtor has. If the Realtor is organized you will see that they are going to be able to help you with the needs that you have quickly. However, you should also take this into consideration so you do not have to worry about them losing any of the information that you have provided them.

Another thing to look at is going to be if they are respectful towards you and others. If they are not respectful towards other people then you may not get a good deal. It’s the role of your Realtor to negotiate on your behalf and interact in a professional manner with the other parties that will be a party to your transaction.  If they are not courteous to other industry professionals then they may be problematic.

Something else that you should look at is whether they are going to be loyal to you as a buyer. Many times you will notice that agents have multiple clients that they work with. However, when you have your time set aside with them you should have them concentrate on your needs rather than answering the phone or addressing other people’s needs when they are showing you homes. In addition, be sure that they are not just showing you their listings or listings of their office.

Technologically savvy real estate agents are a huge benefit to buyers. If they cannot use the computer properly then they could easily miss out on some of the new listings that are coming out. It is imperative that your agent continue to streamline properties to you that meet your specific criteria. This process is called prospecting and any good agent ought to know how to do this for you. Without it, you are likely not getting visibility to the properties you want. So make sure that your Realtor demonstrates that technology is key to ensuring that you have the proper information when you look at any of the homes that are available.

You should also take into consideration if they are going to be a good communicator or not. This is going to be important since they are going to be the ones that need to make clear your demands and negotiate on your behalf for the best price and terms. If they cannot communicate properly, then they could easily miss out on some of the information that you are telling them to include. They should be responsive to emails and calls. If their grammar is poor in an email then what does that say about how they are representing you when you’re not looking?

This is a great time to buy. Rates are low and so are home prices in many areas. However, if you do not have the proper help in finding the deals you will miss out. If you know what to look for in the Realtor you work with, though, it will be easy to find the best agent to help you with your needs.

Step #1: Start Saving

In order to increase your chances of qualifying for a loan with a good interest rate and to keep your monthly payments at a minimum, it is in your best interest to put a large down payment on your home. Ideally, you should have enough saved up to pay 10 percent of the cost of the home. At a minimum, you will need to have enough saved up to place a hold on the home in the form of earnest money.

Step #2: Plan Ahead

Before you even start your search for a new home, you need to be sure you are ready to take this huge step. First, take a closer look at your budget to make sure you are financially prepared to purchase and to maintain a home. Next, ask family and friends to recommend experts that can help you in the process, such as a home inspector and a lawyer. Third, consider your lifestyle and the type of home you will need to suit that lifestyle and, finally, research the prices on homes in the neighborhoods where you are considering buying.

Step #3: Determine How Much You Can Afford

The next step in buying your first home is to determine how much you can afford. When making this decision, you will first need to consider how much you will be able to receive from a mortgage lender. Your housing cost to income ratio is one factor that mortgage lenders consider when determining how much they will lend to you. Lenders do not want your basic housing costs, which include your mortgage, property taxes and insurance, to exceed more than 28 percent of your monthly gross income. Similarly, they do not want to see your total debt, which would include your housing costs as well as installment loans, credit card balances that are more than 10 months old and student loans, exceeding more than 36 percent of your monthly gross income.

Step #4: Get Prequalified for a Mortgage Loan

Once you have a clear idea of how much you can afford and are likely to qualify for in terms of a loan, it is a good idea to get prequalified for a loan. Not only will this help you know for sure how much you can borrow, but it will also give you a bargaining chip when it comes time to negotiate a price on the home of your dreams. In fact, many sellers are willing to negotiate a lower price with those who are pre-qualified because they can be relatively certain the deal will go through.  In Boston, it’s commonplace for buyers to submit a prequalification or preapproval letter along with their Offer to Purchase.

Step #5: Hire a Real Estate Agent

Now that you have a clear idea of how much you can afford and what you are looking for in a home, it is time to hire a real estate agent. By communicating all of this information to your agent, you should have no problem with finding the perfect home to fit your budget.

Here are some of the unique advantages to buying new:

1. New mechanical systems will have extended warranties and save you thousands of dollars in unexpected bills over the years.

2. New appliances and other items like windows and doors are more intuitive and energy efficient saving you a ton in the long run.

3. Newer neighborhoods oftentimes include nicer and newer amenities such as pools, walking paths, playgrounds, and even sidewalks.

4. No clipped nails in the carpet, wallpaper to peel, or paint to touch up. You can easily customize a new home to your taste and style.

5. Options galore. Often existing homes don’t have the design features that often come standard in newer homes, like walk-in closets, a pantry, and larger master bathrooms. You’ll also want to think about things like electrical outlets – 30 years ago, most kitchens had one. Now, the average kitchen has four. What electrical needs will you have for a media room? Will you have to have electrical work done in an older house?

6. Better house designs. According to a recent issue of Better Homes and Gardens, many new home buyers are looking for homes that are “kitchencentric;” that is, the kitchens allow room for more than one person at a time, and open enough that those in the home can be engaged in different activities, but still connected to the family. Think about the old downstairs recreational room of the past where the TV was and kids hung out. Families want to be together – and if you buy a house without flow, it might be hard for you to get rid of when you’re ready to sell.

Hire A Real Estate Agent

Your first step to buying your a home should be to hire a real estate agent. A real estate agent can help guide you through the process with their expertise. They have valuable market data and should know the area where you want to purchase.

Make sure you choose a buyer’s agent as a buyer’s agent will be working for you and not the seller. If you work with the sellers agent, keep in mind they have a fiduciary duty to get the best deal for their seller which could leave you on the short end of the stick.

When working with a buyer’s agent there are no upfront costs which should give you no reason not to work with an agent. Commissions are paid by the seller and will already be added to the listing price of the home. Some people might tell you that as a buyer you don’t pay commission but that’s not true as it’s already added to the price of the home.

If you have troubles finding an agent you can trust, talk to family and friends about agents they’ve used in the past. Interview each agent until you find one you feel comfortable with. One thing you should know is not all agents are the same. Be sure to ask a lot of questions about the market and how well they communicate as communication is key in a real estate transaction.

Get Pre-Qualified For A Loan

You can’t buy a home unless you get financing so don’t get too excited until you know you have the means to purchase. Many first time home buyers will go looking at homes before they talk to a mortgage professional and find out they don’t qualify to buy. Finding the perfect home and later finding out you can’t buy it can be devastating.

The best way to know what you can buy is to get pre-qualified. The prequalification process is pretty simple, and shouldn’t take longer than a couple hours. Ask your real estate agent if they know some good lenders and shop around. Be careful however, just because a lender is cheap doesn’t mean they can close a loan on time.

The lending process has changed dramatically over the last couple years making it more difficult to get a transaction closed. Don’t take choosing a lender lightly, it can mean closing a deal or not. A good lender should have great communication skills and knowledge of the current lending laws. Also, a lender with in house underwriting is a huge plus.

Finding A Home

Finding a home should be the best part of the home buying process. Shopping for a home can be fun, and you shouldn’t have to settle for something you don’t like. You have a lot of options when searching and I would recommend you try them all out.

Start your search online. There are a ton of real estate websites out there so you shouldn’t have a problem with this option. However, finding a home online is just the first step as online pictures can be deceiving. Some pictures will show the home better than it really is and other photos will look horrible, yet the home might be fantastic. You never know until you see it in person.

Check out some open houses. Open houses are a great way to start your home search especially if you don’t have an agent yet. If you like an agent sitting at an open house don’t hesitate to ask them to show you some more homes. Real estate agents can show you all homes listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).

Giving Up To Much Information

When you’re working without a Realtor in a real estate transaction, you won’t have anyone to buffer the conversation. Talking directly with the seller will leave you at a disadvantage when negotiating terms and price. If you let them know how much you love their house, they can use that to get more money out of you.

If the sellers are working with a Realtor, their agent will use that as an advantage in negotiations. One thing you have to keep in mind when dealing with a represented seller is, their Realtor has been highly trained and educated in every facet of the real estate process. They do it everyday, and they will win.

When you’re buying a home listed on the MLS, the commission is already negotiated into the asking price. You’re already paying a Realtor fee so there is no reason you shouldn’t hire an agent of your own. So if the reason you don’t want to work with an agent is commission, don’t be fooled, you’re already paying it.

Relying On Oral Agreements

As a Realtor I have access to well over 50 different contracts within the MLS I work for. These contracts have been written by professional real estate attorneys over many years. There is a reason why Realtors have access to so many contracts, oral agreements almost never hold in a court of law.

Just because you think the seller is trustworthy, if it’s not in writing, they don’t have to comply. If the seller said they will throw in the riding lawnmower, get it in writing. Nothing is final until the ink dries on a legally binding contract.

Missed Deadlines

A real estate purchase contract has many deadlines that need to be kept. If you miss a deadline you could not only lose your earnest money, but you could be left with thousands of dollars in repairs. Some deadlines you need to keep in mind are your inspection, appraisal, and financing dates.

If you miss your inspection deadline, and later find out there are major maintenance issues, you won’t have the leverage needed to negotiate the repairs. If the home doesn’t appraise and you’re outside of your deadline, you could lose your earnest money if the deal doesn’t happen. If you can’t obtain financing in time, you could lose the property all together.

Missed deadlines can be avoided by knowing the right people to get things done on time. Realtors have access to these people everyday, and most have a trusted network of professionals they know will get the job done.

When buying a home I fully recommend you enlist a trusted real estate professional to help you along the way. You would be amazed at the amount of work Realtors do behind the scenes to ensure a smooth and timely closing. If you still don’t want to enlist the services of a real estate professional, make sure you keep an eye on every aspect of the real estate transaction, or you could end up losing out on your dream home.