Content written by-Gilbert Espinoza

With the current economy downturn profit can be garnered by purchasing real estate while property values are lowered. In a sense, homes, commercial space and land are one of the few investments that one can be guaranteed will not remain diminished in value long term. The reality is there is only so much land to purchase. If you buy some now, someone will have to buy it from you in the future.

Purchasing a home is a big decision and a large investment. To make sure you know all there is to know, consider a course in home buying. Many local real estate offices offer these classes as ways to educate potential clients about the process from beginning to end.

A terrific tip for prospective home buyers is to do the majority of their house hunting during the months of August and September. No doubt spring and summer months tend to see increased activity in the real estate market. So, waiting until later in the year can pay great dividends! Decreased competition for attractive properties and more motivated sellers who are more receptive to negotiation is a plus.

When buying a home after a previous home has foreclosed, you may be asked for a larger down payment. In many cases this is usually around twenty percent. The larger a down payment you can put on a new home the lower the interest rate is going to be for your loan.

All real estate agents need to be in touch with their previous customers on the anniversary of the date they purchased their home, and certainly during the holidays. They will remember how you helped them with their home buying experience. At the end of your message, let them know you work on referrals and would love it if they passed your information on to their friends and family.

Consider buying a brand-new home in the fall. In how to rent to own homes are beginning to discount their inventory and they may even offer some great incentives around September to make the sales that they need before the end of the year. Prices of these homes that do not sell in the fall will go back up in the spring.

Keep your options open. Visit multiple homes and auctions, even up until closing on your home of choice. Research other homes thoroughly to find out what you may be missing out on. The last thing you want to do is close on a home, just to find out that a block away, a better home was cheaper and more centrally located for you.

When check this site out are moving, pack a suitcase full of things that you may need for a few days. Include things like clothing and toiletries. Keep this suitcase separate from everything else so that you can have easy access to things that you would need until you can get totally unpacked at your new home.





Check with non-profit organizations and community sources for down payment assistance programs. These programs may be able to lend you the money, or give you a grant (free money) in order to purchased a home. They may also provide financing education. Doing a little bit of research and investigating may really pay off.

If you had previously fallen on hard times, and had your home foreclosed on, there are ways you can once again be a homeowner. Mortgage companies such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may back another home loan for you in as little as three years depending on the circumstances surrounding your foreclosure.

If your home-buying strategy involves foreclosed or short-sale houses, don't put your entire heart and soul into just one property. Real estate bargains are a hot commodity in times of recession, and you are almost certain to encounter a number of individual and commercial buyers vying for the same properties. Cultivate multiple interests, and don't miss out on other potential dream homes by focusing exclusively on a single lot.

Are you looking at buying a home? If so, it is important that you get a professional inspection done on the home. There are many things that can be wrong with a home that you may not be able to see with the naked eye, including structural damage and mold.

Although homes with energy-efficient windows, heating/AC and insulation may cost a bit more, it's a great investment in the long run. You will save thousands of dollars on your energy bills over the life of your home, so a little extra now will help you save in the long term.

Be very careful when buying a house through an auction. The first price may look good and be very appealing, however, once everyone starts bidding on it, it is too easy to get emotional on things and overbid in the end. So if you go to an auction, set a limit and be very strict about it.

Pay attention to the landscaping of any home that you are interested in buying. Maintaining the property's outdoor areas can be very time-consuming and expensive. Make sure that you have the resources that you need to be able to properly care for these areas, or you may be in for a surprise after you close on the house.

When buying real estate, always keep in mind that many of the things you find unattractive about a particular property are actually cosmetic in nature. In this way, you will be able to prevent yourself from disregarding a potentially great house due to perceived flaws that could be easily and inexpensively remedied.

When buying a house, check for any additions the previous owners have added. Make sure any additions the sellers have made are legal and not something you might end up running into trouble over later down the line. A good appraiser that you can trust should be able to spot any illegal additions.

It is clear that buying real estate can be a wise investment choice with a high profit margin if you are willing to have patience and/or take calculated risks. Land is a fixed commodity. Mark Twain had it right when he said to "buy land", its one of the best ways to secure a profitable future.