As a continuation of the first article, "Three Innocent Mistakes Home Buyers Make", here are three more errors you'll want to sidestep!

Mistake #4: Let the lender look in your wallet before you begin

Get pre-approved. The lender can pre-approve you for a home loan, virtually making you a cash buyer! While the process varies from lender to lender, it generally requires a look at your credit report, copies of your pay stubs, and a look at your bank statements to show that you have the down payment and cash for closing costs on hand. Being pre-approved is guaranteed to strengthen your position as a buyer.

Mistake #5: Find the professional help you need

• The Realtor as your guide:It's good that you're using the best guide in buying a home---your Realtor. He/she will help you smoothly navigate through the home buying process and give you added-value information for making the tough decisions you'll encounter.
  
• Consult a CPA and a real estate attorney.If you have questions regarding your tax or legal position, now is the time to ask them. Your Realtor can give you a menu of professionals he/she has had positive experiences with.
  

Mistake #6: Choose the best house for your needs

• Make a wish list.As with many big decisions in life, finding the right home is a matter of give and take. Why not start out with a "wish list" of things you have to have in a home and progress from there? In "The Home Buying Game: A Quick and Easy Way to Get the Best Home for Your Money", published by Dearborn Financial Publishing, a comprehensive wish list is provided that helps you prioritize what's important to you.
  
• Drive around, walk around, and ask around.One of the biggest mistakes home buyers make is not thoroughly inspecting the neighborhood of the home they're interested in. So drive around (to check the traffic flow and the adjacent neighborhoods), walk around (to check for noisy handyman garages, dog kennels and unlit streets), and ask around (talk to neighbors about how they feel about the safety and property values of the neighborhood). By driving around, walking around, and asking around, you'll know that the house you're interested in is in a safe and financially sound neighborhood.
  

You'll find the final installment of this article at "Four Final Errors Home Buyers Make".

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