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2) Choose the right Real Estate Agent. Ask your friends and co-workers about the company or real estate agent you are considering. Interview the agent in your home if possible. (yes there is a very good reason why you should do this).

HOME BUYING POWER is packed full of countless money saving insider tips designed to make your home buying experience fun. That‘s why so many newspaper and consumers are raving about this book. It’s easy to read and understand. For instance in chapter four there is a powerful list of the TOP 10 questions to ask the agent during the interview. But if you want to select the best agent to represent your interest and save Big money at the same time be sure and read chapter three-before you invite any agent into your home. Chapter two tells you exactly how to protect your interest with twenty two easy to follow money saving recommendations.

3) Check your credit. By Law you are entitled to one free credit report every year. Many times credit reports are wrong and contain inaccurate information. But they can be corrected. It is not necessary to pay anyone to clean up your credit report. Taking care of any errors or problems on your credit report helps speed the loan process. If you are shopping for a home with an assumable loan, you have a better chance to have your offer accepted by the seller. A home seller will listen to buyers with clean credit. There are tips to tell the seller even if your credit is not perfect.

4) Get approved for a loan and negotiate from a position of strength. Being approved the seller is more receptive to a lower offer. A buyer with an approved loan shows they are serious and qualified. Many times buyers with approved loans are treated like “Cash Buyers”. In Chapter 14 you will discover a proven strategy to write a low offer and have the seller take it. Negotiate from strength. You will be amazed at how quickly you learn the successful and proven ways to pay less money for your next home.

5) Have the home inspected by a certified licensed inspector. The inspector will give you a written report on any appliances, plumbing, electrical, foundation or roof repairs that need attention. Learn the eight critical questions to ask any inspector before you hire one. The best inspector could save you thousands of dollars now and many headaches later. Find out why a “bad report” with all type of repairs is good news. Discover how to use the report to your advantage.

6) Ask for a Home Warranty. Learn how to get the seller to provide a Free home warranty . All warranty programs are different and so are the policies. Each include and exclude different items. The purpose is to protect you from major appliance, plumbing and electrical repairs. Don’t get caught with unexpected high mechanical bills. Protect your pocketbook. HOME BUYING POWER exposes the problems with warranties and shows you how to have the seller extend the coverage beyond one year at no additional cost to you.

7) Earnest money. Want your offer to win in a multiple offer contest? Or would you like the seller to take less money for the home even when two or three other buyers are bidding against you? HOME BUYING POWER gives you the inside secrets of how to make your offer turn the seller’s head. and win. Always make sure the earnest (may be called escrow/deposit) money is deposited with a title company, attorney, or closing office. Never give it to the seller .

8) Ask for a quick close date. Sellers want to know their home is sold and that it will close within a short time. Letting the sellers know you are ready to close and that you have an approved loan, will make your offer very attractive. What if the seller doesn’t want to close quickly? You will be surprised to find out how to profit by this knowledge. Chapter fourteen reveals all of the tips and traps to avoid when writing an offer . You shouldn’t pay too much for a home even in a hot market. Learn how to negotiate to win.

9) Don't cut the price if the home is priced right. Many buyers try to negotiate a lower offer. Trying to save $500 on sales price may result in losing the home, should another offer come in at the same time. There are other ways to save a ton of money when purchasing a home. Sometimes paying full price is a very smart thing to do, because it enables you to negotiate some other money saving terms. A home in a great area deserves a realistic price. What should you ask about the neighborhood even if you think you know the area?

10) Watch out for taxes and Home Owner Fees. School districts, water districts, cities and counties all have different tax rates. A home costing $150,000 in one area could be more expensive on a monthly basis than another home costing $175,000 in another area because of different taxing authorities. Some of those taxes may not be deductible. Learn which ones are problems to avoid. If there is a Home Owners Association you must carefully check out the restrictions and budget/indebtedness. If you have questions a real estate attorney will be able to answer your questions. Know when to seek legal advice

11) Know Future Trends. What type of home should you buy today? Buy the wrong home today and it could cost you when you try to re-sell the property in the future. Chapter nine and nineteen demonstrate how to spot the trends for housing and what buyers will be looking for in the future. Take advantage of these special tips and checklist. If you buy the wrong house today, it will cost you when you go to resell it tomorrow.
12) Who represents you? In many states, you have the right to be represented by an agent/broker. All listing agents/brokers and co-brokers represent the seller unless otherwise noted. You must decide if you want to be represented during the home buying process . This one tip could save you thousands of dollars!

In HOME BUYING POWER, I give you plenty of checklists and questions to ask the agent before you shop. Please do not sign any type of buyers agreement before you read this chapter. It will cost you a lot of money if you do.

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