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01/31/2012 11:17 PM

UMass Dartmouth Downs Stonehill, 6-3 - Stonehill College Athletics

Stonehill College Athletics

UMass Dartmouth Downs Stonehill, 6-3
Stonehill College Athletics
Senior forward Rob Dudley (Douglas, Mass./Middlesex School) led the Corsairs with a hat-trick while teammates Dave McDonald (Wakefield, Mass.), Stephen Laliberte (East Falmouth, Mass./Bridgton Academy) and Andrew Pontes (New Bedford, Mass./Winchendon ...

02/04/2012 06:44 AM

Health officials get peek into future - Sentinel and Enterprise

Health officials get peek into future
Sentinel and Enterprise
FITCHBURG -- Administrators from the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester were in Fitchburg Friday to tour the future site of Community Health Connections on the Burbank Campus of HealthAlliance Hospital. Community Health Connections ...

01/31/2012 10:55 AM

Massachusetts Eye Care Practice Highlights Macular Degeneration AMD - PR Web (press release)

PR Web (press release)

Massachusetts Eye Care Practice Highlights Macular Degeneration AMD
PR Web (press release)
... Groton, Harvard, Hudson, Lancaster, Leominster, Lexington, Littleton, Lowell, Lunenburg, Marlborough, Milford, Shelburne Falls, Shirley, Sterling, Stow, Sudbury, Templeton, Westminster, Westborough, Winchendon and Worcester, Massachusetts.

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01/26/2012 04:05 AM

Worcester 'visionary' to lead Pentucket schools - The Daily News of Newburyport

Worcester 'visionary' to lead Pentucket schools
The Daily News of Newburyport
Other finalists included Brooke Clenchy of Winchendon, Justin Bartholomew of Pittsboro, NC, and Richard Langlois of Saugus. And further changes in district leadership may be on the horizon, according to Michael Gilbert, the consultant from the ...
Mulqueen, leaving Worcester schools, says he's "humbled by the offer"Worcester Telegram

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02/01/2012 12:30 PM

PATRIOT LEDGER: "Leahy Is Making The Most Of The Local Ice Talent" - Stonehill College Athletics

Stonehill College Athletics

PATRIOT LEDGER: "Leahy Is Making The Most Of The Local Ice Talent"
Stonehill College Athletics
"I'm a South Shore guy," said the Canton native, who had spent four seasons as the Winchendon School's head coach. "I know all the public school coaches, all the prep coaches. I know a lot of the Division II coaches in the area.

01/25/2012 08:45 PM

Marblehead girls hockey ready to make run for the postseason again - Wicked Local

Marblehead girls hockey ready to make run for the postseason again
Wicked Local
But the long trip to Winchendon to play Gardner on Sunday didn't go as well, when the host team broke open a close game in the final two periods with five goals to secure the win, 5-2. McKay actually netted the first goal of the game by either side in ...

01/26/2012 02:25 PM

Monson, senior class rebuild LBSU's program - FS West

FS West

Monson, senior class rebuild LBSU's program
FS West
Anderson had gone to Winchendon Prep in Massachusetts after high school so the staff flew back East to take a look. There they saw a young man named TJ Robinson play against Anderson and found out that he had not committed anywhere yet.

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01/18/2012 06:15 PM

Community Foundation seeks grant applications - Leominster Champion

Community Foundation seeks grant applications
Leominster Champion
The Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts is accepting applications for grant funding from nonprofit organizations serving its 33-town region. The Foundation anticipates making 10 or more grants of up to $20000 each from its General ...

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01/18/2012 04:18 PM

Mauricio Sulaiman - Heir to the WBC Throne? - FightSaga

Mauricio Sulaiman - Heir to the WBC Throne?
FightSaga
Mauricio: Yes, I graduated from Winchendon High School in Massachusetts. I have an MBA from the Technological Institute of Superior Studies of Monterrey (Mexico). Mauricio might doubt his abilities but the old saying 'The apple doesn't fall far from ...

01/20/2012 02:39 PM

U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in Massachusetts (Jan. 20) - Targeted News Service (subscription)

U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in Massachusetts (Jan. 20)
Targeted News Service (subscription)
The co-inventors are Martin D. Tabat, Nashua, NH, Matthew C. Gwinn, Winchendon, Mass., Robert K. Becker, Danvers, Mass., Avrum Freytsis, Salem, Mass., and Michael Graf, Belmont, Mass. The abstract of the patent published by the US Patent and Trademark ...

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Trulia Real Estate Search - winchendon

Trulia Search Results

02/03/2012 03:00 AM

35 Clark Rd, Winchendon, MA 01475, $224,000 3 beds, 3 baths

2432 sqft, 3 beds, 3 baths, single-family home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

02/03/2012 03:00 AM

144 Mill St, Winchendon, MA 01475, $133,900 3 beds, 1 bath

1568 sqft, 3 beds, 1 bath, single-family home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

02/03/2012 03:00 AM

576 Central St, Winchendon, MA 01475, $79,200 2 beds, 1 bath

880 sqft, 2 beds, 1 bath, single-family home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

02/03/2012 03:00 AM

LOT 223 LOT 223, Winchendon, MA 01475, $124,900 2 beds, 2 baths

1474 sqft, 2 beds, 2 baths, mobile home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

02/03/2012 03:00 AM

61 Winter St, Winchendon, MA 01475, $79,900 3 beds, 1 bath

1300 sqft, 3 beds, 1 bath, single-family home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

02/03/2012 03:00 AM

Foristall, Winchendon, MA 01475, $54,900

Vacant lot in Winchendon, MA - 01475

02/03/2012 03:00 AM

LOT 224 LOT 224, Winchendon, MA 01475, $123,900 2 beds, 2 baths

1298 sqft, 2 beds, 2 baths, mobile home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

02/03/2012 03:00 AM

LOT 222 LOT 222, Winchendon, MA 01475, $123,900 2 beds, 2 baths

1264 sqft, 2 beds, 2 baths, mobile home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

02/03/2012 03:00 AM

221 Peggi Lane, Winchendon, MA 01475, $113,900 2 beds, 2 baths

1158 sqft, 2 beds, 2 baths, mobile home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

02/01/2012 03:00 AM

19 A B Washington Street, Winchendon, MA 01475, $189,900 4 beds, 2 baths

2644 sqft, 4 beds, 2 baths, property in Winchendon, MA - 01475

01/31/2012 03:00 AM

17 High St, Winchendon, MA 01475, $149,000 4 beds, 2 baths

2388 sqft, 4 beds, 2 baths, single-family home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

01/29/2012 03:00 AM

Tbd L-24 Toy Town Lane, Winchendon, MA 01475, $219,900 3 beds, 1.5 baths

1560 sqft, 3 beds, 1.5 baths, single-family home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

01/27/2012 03:00 AM

11 Congress Rd, Winchendon, MA 01475, $30,000 2 beds, 1 bath

980 sqft, 2 beds, 1 bath, mobile home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

01/26/2012 03:00 AM

31 Baldwinville Rd, Winchendon, MA 01475, $224,900 3 beds, 1.5 baths

1596 sqft, 3 beds, 1.5 baths, single-family home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

01/24/2012 03:00 AM

55 Bayberry Cir, Winchendon, MA 01475, $248,500 2 beds, 2 baths

1936 sqft, 2 beds, 2 baths, single-family home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

01/24/2012 03:00 AM

Beachview, Winchendon, MA 01475, $20,000

Vacant lot in Winchendon, MA - 01475

01/20/2012 03:00 AM

101-103 Linden St, Winchendon, MA 01475, $129,500 4 beds, 2 baths

2370 sqft, 4 beds, 2 baths, property in Winchendon, MA - 01475

01/19/2012 03:00 AM

419 Front St, Winchendon, MA 01475, $39,900

Vacant lot in Winchendon, MA - 01475

01/19/2012 03:00 AM

49 Kemp St, Winchendon, MA 01475, $34,900

Vacant lot in Winchendon, MA - 01475

01/19/2012 03:00 AM

59 Kemp St, Winchendon, MA 01475, $34,900

Vacant lot in Winchendon, MA - 01475

01/19/2012 03:00 AM

69 Kemp St, Winchendon, MA 01475, $34,900

Vacant lot in Winchendon, MA - 01475

01/19/2012 03:00 AM

440 School St, Winchendon, MA 01475, $179,000 5 beds, 2 baths

2320 sqft, 5 beds, 2 baths, property in Winchendon, MA - 01475

01/18/2012 03:00 AM

44 Mechanic St, Winchendon, MA 01475, $119,900 4 beds, 2 baths

1901 sqft, 4 beds, 2 baths, property in Winchendon, MA - 01475

12/30/2011 03:00 AM

86-88 Ingleside Drive, Winchendon, MA 01475, $630,000 8 beds, 4 baths

6078 sqft, 8 beds, 4 baths, single-family home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

12/30/2011 03:00 AM

558 Brown St, Winchendon, MA 01475, $149,000 3 beds, 1.5 baths

1056 sqft, 3 beds, 1.5 baths, single-family home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

12/27/2011 03:00 AM

263 Spring St, Winchendon, MA 01475, $81,900 3 beds, 1 bath

1131 sqft, 3 beds, 1 bath, single-family home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

12/21/2011 03:00 AM

212 Maple St, Winchendon, MA 01475, $30,900 4 beds, 2 baths

4 beds, 2 baths, property in Winchendon, MA - 01475

12/19/2011 03:00 AM

35 Phyllis Rd, Winchendon, MA 01475, $90,750 3 beds, 1 bath

1200 sqft, 3 beds, 1 bath, single-family home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

12/16/2011 03:00 AM

94 Ash St, Winchendon, MA 01475, $119,900 2 beds, 1 bath

736 sqft, 2 beds, 1 bath, single-family home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

12/12/2011 03:00 AM

86-88 Ingleside Drive, Winchendon, MA 01475, $630,000

Vacant lot in Winchendon, MA - 01475

12/06/2011 03:00 AM

20 Carriage Ln, Winchendon, MA 01475, $35,000 2 beds, 1 bath

980 sqft, 2 beds, 1 bath, mobile home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

12/06/2011 03:00 AM

23 Webster St, Winchendon, MA 01475, $109,000 3 beds, 2 baths

1074 sqft, 3 beds, 2 baths, single-family home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

12/06/2011 03:00 AM

346 Baldwinville State Rd, Winchendon, MA 01475, $209,900 5 beds, 2 baths

2599 sqft, 5 beds, 2 baths, single-family home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

11/25/2011 03:00 AM

108 Highland St, Winchendon, MA 01475, $109,900 3 beds, 2 baths

2077 sqft, 3 beds, 2 baths, single-family home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

11/23/2011 03:00 AM

37-39 Jackson Ave, Winchendon, MA 01475, $75,000 4 beds, 2 baths

2080 sqft, 4 beds, 2 baths, property in Winchendon, MA - 01475

11/22/2011 03:00 AM

182 Maple St, Winchendon, MA 01475, $44,900 3 beds, 2 baths

1902 sqft, 3 beds, 2 baths, single-family home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

11/22/2011 03:00 AM

12 Baldwinville State Rd, Winchendon, MA 01475, $5,000

Vacant lot in Winchendon, MA - 01475

11/22/2011 03:00 AM

LOT 26 LOT 26, Winchendon, MA 01475, $5,000

Vacant lot in Winchendon, MA - 01475

11/20/2011 03:00 AM

126 Glenallen St, Winchendon, MA 01475, $80,800 3 beds, 1 bath

1638 sqft, 3 beds, 1 bath, single-family home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

11/12/2011 03:00 AM

226 Peggi Lane, Winchendon, MA 01475, $119,900 2 beds, 2 baths

1369 sqft, 2 beds, 2 baths, mobile home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

11/12/2011 03:00 AM

225 Peggi Lane, Winchendon, MA 01475, $144,500 2 beds, 2 baths

1588 sqft, 2 beds, 2 baths, mobile home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

11/12/2011 03:00 AM

626 Alger St, Winchendon, MA 01475, $64,900 3 beds, 1 bath

1092 sqft, 3 beds, 1 bath, single-family home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

11/12/2011 03:00 AM

221 Peggi Lane, Winchendon, MA 01475, $113,900 2 beds, 2 baths

1158 sqft, 2 beds, 2 baths, single-family home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

11/10/2011 03:00 AM

771 Teel Rd, Winchendon, MA 01475, $163,900 3 beds,

1660 sqft, 3 beds, property in Winchendon, MA - 01475

11/10/2011 03:00 AM

39 West Shore Drive, Winchendon, MA 01475, $179,900 3 beds, 1 bath

1506 sqft, 3 beds, 1 bath, single-family home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

11/04/2011 03:00 AM

1091 Alger St, Winchendon, MA 01475, $299,500 2 beds, 2 baths

1914 sqft, 2 beds, 2 baths, single-family home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

11/02/2011 03:00 AM

Central St, Winchendon, MA 01475, $250,000

Vacant lot in Winchendon, MA - 01475

10/28/2011 03:00 AM

41 Juniper St, Winchendon, MA 01475, $40,000 2 beds, 2 baths

2118 sqft, 2 beds, 2 baths, property in Winchendon, MA - 01475

10/28/2011 03:00 AM

711 Central St, Winchendon, MA 01475, $129,690 3 beds, 3 baths

1942 sqft, 3 beds, 3 baths, single-family home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

10/27/2011 03:00 AM

135 Front St, Winchendon, MA 01475, $259,000 4 beds, 2 baths

3431 sqft, 4 beds, 2 baths, single-family home in Winchendon, MA - 01475

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02/04/2012 05:22 PM

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National Association of Realtors From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Redirected from National Association of Estate Agents) Jump to: navigation, search This article is about a real estate trade association. For general information about real-estate brokers in the United States, see Real estate broker. Look up realtor in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. National Association of Realtors building on New Jersey Ave, NW, Washington DC The building is triangular in shape, due to the configuration of the streets which border it. The NAR building and the U.S. Capitol in the background.The National Association of Realtors (NAR), whose members are known as Realtors (re(?)lt?r; -?t�r), is North America's largest trade association.[1] representing over 1.2 million members[2] (as reported November 2008), including NAR's institutes, societies, and councils, involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. NAR also functions as a Self Regulatory Organization for real estate brokerage. The President of NAR for 2009 is Charles McMillan.[3] Contents [hide] 1 Overview 2 Trademark status 3 NAR and Multiple Listing Service (MLS) systems 3.1 NAR educational requirements and recognized designations 4 Contributions to political campaigns 5 Radio 6 Other national real estate associations 7 See also 8 References 9 External links Eight steps to selling your home Define your needs. Write down all the reasons for selling your home. Ask yourself, "Why do I want to sell and what do I expect to accomplish with the sale?" For example, a growing family may prompt your need for a larger home, or a job opportunity in another city may necessitate a move. For your goals, write down if you'd like to sell your house within a certain time frame or make a particular profit margin. Work with your real estate agent to map out the best path to achieve your objectives and set a realistic time frame for the sale. Name your price. Your next objective should be to determine the best possible selling price for your house. Setting a fair asking price from the outset will generate the most activity from other real estate agents and buyers. You will need to take into account the condition of your home, what comparable homes in your neighborhood are selling for, and state of the overall market in your area. It's often difficult to remain unbiased when putting a price on your home, so your real estate agent's expertise is invaluable at this step. Your agent will know what comparable homes are selling for in your neighborhood and the average time those homes are sitting on the market. If you want a truly objective opinion about the price of your home, you could have an appraisal done. This typically costs a few hundred dollars. Remember: You're always better off setting a fair market value price than setting your price too high. Studies show that homes priced higher than 3 percent of their market value take longer to sell. If your home sits on the market for too long, potential buyers may think there is something wrong with the property. Often, when this happens, the seller has to drop the price below market value to compete with newer, reasonably priced listings. Prepare your home. Most of us don't keep our homes in "showroom" condition. We tend to overlook piles of boxes in the garage, broken porch lights, and doors or windows that stick. It's time to break out of that owner's mindset and get your house in tip-top shape. The condition of your home will affect how quickly it sells and the price the buyer is willing to offer. First impressions are the most important. Your real estate agent can help you take a fresh look at your home and suggest ways to stage it and make it more appealing to buyers. * A home with too much "personality" is harder to sell. Removing family photos, mementos and personalized d�cor will help buyers visualize the home as theirs. * Make minor repairs and replacements. Small defects, such as a leaky faucet, a torn screen or a worn doormat, can ruin the buyer's first impression. * Clutter is a big no-no when showing your home to potential buyers. Make sure you have removed all knick-knacks from your shelves and cleared all your bathroom and kitchen counters to make every area seem as spacious as possible. Get the word out. Now that you're ready to sell, your real estate agent will set up a marketing strategy specifically for your home. There are many ways to get the word out, including: * The Internet * Yard signs * Open houses * Media advertising * Agent-to-agent referrals * Direct mail marketing campaigns In addition to listing your home on the MLS, your agent will use a combination of these tactics to bring the most qualified buyers to your home. Your agent should structure the marketing plan so that the first three to six weeks are the busiest. Receive an offer. When you receive a written offer from a potential buyer, your real estate agent will first find out whether or not the individual is prequalified or preapproved to buy your home. If so, then you and your agent will review the proposed contract, taking care to understand what is required of both parties to execute the transaction. The contract, though not limited to this list, should include the following: * Legal description of the property * Offer price * Down payment * Financing arrangements * List of fees and who will pay them * Deposit amount * Inspection rights and possible repair allowances * Method of conveying the title and who will handle the closing * Appliances and furnishings that will stay with the home * Settlement date * Contingencies At this point, you have three options: accept the contract as is, accept it with changes (a counteroffer), or reject it. Remember: Once both parties have signed a written offer, the document becomes legally binding. If you have any questions or concerns, be certain to address them with your real estate agent right away. Negotiate to sell. Most offers to purchase your home will require some negotiating to come to a win-win agreement. Your real estate agent is well versed on the intricacies of the contracts used in your area and will protect your best interest throughout the bargaining. Your agent also knows what each contract clause means, what you will net from the sale and what areas are easiest to negotiate. Some negotiable items: * Price * Financing * Closing costs * Repairs * Appliances and fixtures * Landscaping * Painting * Move-in date Once both parties have agreed on the terms of the sale, your agent will prepare a contract. Prepare to close. Once you accept an offer to sell your house, you will need to make a list of all the things you and your buyer must do before closing. The property may need to be formally appraised, surveyed, inspected or repaired. Your real estate agent can spearhead the effort and serve as your advocate when dealing with the buyer's agent and service providers. Depending on the written contract, you may pay for all, some or none of these items. If each procedure returns acceptable results as defined by the contract, then the sale may continue. If there are problems with the home, the terms set forth in the contract will dictate your next step. You or the buyer may decide to walk away, open a new round of negotiations or proceed to closing. Important reminder: A few days before the closing, you will want to contact the entity that is closing the transaction and make sure the necessary documents will be ready to sign on the appropriate date. Also, begin to make arrangements for your upcoming move if you have not done so. Close the deal. "Closing" refers to the meeting where ownership of the property is legally transferred to the buyer. Your agent will be present during the closing to guide you through the process and make sure everything goes as planned. By being present during the closing, he or she can mediate any last-minute issues that may arise. In some states, an attorney is required and you may wish to have one present. After the closing, you should make a "to do" list for turning the property over to the new owners. Here is a checklist to get you started. * Cancel electricity, gas, lawn care, cable and other routine services. * If the new owner is retaining any of the services, change the name on the account. * Gather owner's manuals and warranties for all conveying appliances. How to price to sell and still make a profit The asking price you set for your home significantly affects whether you will profit in the sale, how much you will profit and how long your home will sit on the market. Your real estate agent's knowledge of the overall market and what's selling - or not selling - will be invaluable in helping you determine the price. The objective is to find a price that the market will bear but won't leave money on the table. Here are some points to consider: Time. Time is not on your side when it comes to real estate. Although many factors influence the outcome, perhaps time is the biggest determinant in whether or not you see a profit and how much you profit. Studies show that the longer a house stays on the market, the less likely it is to sell for the original asking price. Therefore, if your goal is to make money, think about a price that will encourage buyer activity (read: fair market value). Value vs. Cost. Pricing your home to sell in a timely fashion requires some objectivity. It's important that you not confuse value with cost - in other words, how much you value your home versus what buyers are willing to pay for it. Don't place too much emphasis on home improvements when calculating your price, because buyers may not share your taste. For instance, not everyone wants hardwood floors or granite countertops. Keep it simple. Because time is of the essence, make it easy for the buyers. Remain flexible on when your agent can schedule showings. Also, avoid putting contingencies on the sale. Though a desirable move-in date makes for a smoother transition between homes, it could cause you to lose the sale altogether. Understanding the buyer As the seller, you can control three factors that will affect the sale of your home: * The home's condition * Asking price * Marketing strategy However, it's important to note that there are numerous other factors that influence a buyer, and you need to understand these consumer trends when you enter the sellers' market. The more your home matches these qualifications, the more competitive it will be in the marketplace. Your real estate agent can advise you on how to best position and market your home to overcome any perceived downsides. Location Unfortunately, the most influential factor in determining your home's appeal to buyers is something you can't control: its location. According to the National Association of REALTORS(r), neighborhood quality is the No. 1 reason buyers choose certain homes. The second most influential factor is commute times to work and school. Size While some buyers want to simplify their lives and downsize to a smaller home, home sizes in general have continued to increase over the decades, nearly doubling in size since the 1950s. Smaller homes typically appeal to first-time home buyers and "empty nesters," or couples whose children have grown up and moved out. Amenities Preferences in floor plans and amenities go in and out of fashion, and your real estate agent can inform you of the "hot ticket" items that are selling homes in your market. If your home lacks certain features, you can renovate to increase its appeal, but be forewarned: That's not always the right move. Using market conditions and activity in your neighborhood as a gauge, your agent can help you determine whether the investment is likely to help or hinder your profit margin and time on the market. Eight important questions to ask your agent Qualifications are important. However, finding a solid, professional agent means getting beyond the resume, and into what makes an agent effective. Use the following questions as your starting point in hiring your licensed, professional real estate agent: Why did you become a real estate agent? Why should I work with you? What do you do better than other real estate agents? What process will you use to help me find the right home for my particular wants and needs? What are the most common things that go wrong in a transaction and how would you handle them? What are some mistakes that you think people make when buying their first home? What other professionals do you suggest we work with and what are their credentials? Can you provide me with references or testimonials from past clients? Eight steps to buying your home 1. Decide to buy. Although there are many good reasons for you to buy a home, wealth building ranks among the top of the list. We call home ownership the best �accidental investment� most people ever make. But, we believe when it is done right, home ownership becomes an �intentional investment� that lays the foundation for a life of financial security and personal choice. There are solid financial reasons to support your decision to buy a home, and, among these, equity buildup, value appreciation, and tax benefits stand out. Base your decision to buy on facts, not fears. If you are paying rent, you very likely can afford to buy There is never a wrong time to buy the right home. All you need to do in the short run is find a good buy and make sure you have the financial ability to hold it for the long run The lack of a substantial down payment doesn�t prevent you from making your first home purchase A less-than-perfect credit score won�t necessarily stop you from buying a home The best way to get closer to buying your ultimate dream home is to buy your first home now Buying a home doesn�t have to be complicated � there are many professionals who will help you along the way 2. Hire your agent. The typical real estate transaction involves at least two dozen separate individuals � insurance assessors, mortgage brokers and underwriters, inspectors, appraisers, escrow officers, buyer�s agents, seller�s agents, bankers, title researchers, and a number of other individuals whose actions and decisions have to be orchestrated in order to perform in harmony and get a home sale closed. It is the responsibility of your real estate agent to expertly coordinate all the professionals involved in your home purchase and to act as the advocate for you and your interests throughout. Seven main roles of your real estate agent A Buyer�s Real Estate Agent: Educates you about your market. Analyzes your wants and needs. Guides you to homes that fit your criteria. Coordinates the work of other needed professionals. Negotiates on your behalf. Checks and double-checks paperwork and deadlines. Solves any problems that may arise. Eight important questions to ask your agent Qualifications are important. However, finding a solid, professional agent means getting beyond the resume, and into what makes an agent effective. Use the following questions as your starting point in hiring your licensed, professional real estate agent: Why did you become a real estate agent? Why should I work with you? What do you do better than other real estate agents? What process will you use to help me find the right home for my particular wants and needs? What are the most common things that go wrong in a transaction and how would you handle them? What are some mistakes that you think people make when buying their first home? What other professionals do you suggest we work with and what are their credentials? Can you provide me with references or testimonials from past clients? 3. Secure financing. While you may find the thought of home ownership thrilling, the thought of taking on a mortgage may be downright chilling. Many first-time buyers start out confused about the process or nervous about making such a large financial commitment. From start to finish, you will follow a six-step, easy-to-understand process to securing the financing for your first home. Six steps to Financing a Home Choose a loan officer (or mortgage specialist). Make a loan application and get preapproved. Determine what you want to pay and select a loan option. Submit to the lender an accepted purchase offer contract. Get an appraisal and title commitment. Obtain funding at closing. 4. Find your home. You may think that shopping for homes starts with jumping in the car and driving all over town. And it�s true that hopping in the car to go look is probably the most exciting part of the home-buying process. However, driving around is fun for only so long � if weeks go by without finding what you�re looking for, the fun can fade pretty fast. That�s why we say that looking for your home begins with carefully assessing your values, wants, and needs, both for the short and long terms. Questions to ask yourself What do I want my home to be close to? How much space do I need and why? Which is more critical: location or size? Would I be interested in a fixer-upper? How important is home value appreciation? Is neighborhood stability and priority? Would I be interested in a condo? Would I be interested in new home construction? What features and amenities do I wasn�t? Which do I really need? 5. Make an offer. When searching for your dream home, you were just that � a dreamer. Now that you�re writing an offer, you need to be a businessperson. You need to approach this process with a cool head and a realistic perspective o your market. The three basic components of an offer are price, terms, and contingencies (or �conditions� in Canada). Price � the right price to offer must fairly reflect the true market value o fthe home you want to buy. Your agent�s market research will guide this decision. Terms � the other financial and timing factors that will be included in the offer. Terms fall under six basic categories in a real estate offer: Schedule � a schedule of events that has to happen before closing. Conveyances � the items that stay with the house when the sellers leave. Commission � the real estate commission or fee, for both the agent who works with the seller and the agents who works with the buyer. Closing costs � it�s standard for buyers to pay their closing costs, but if you want to roll the costs into the loan, you need to write that into the contract. Home warranty � this covers repairs or replacement of appliances and major systems. You may ask the seller to pay for this. Earnest money � this protects the sellers from the possibility of your unexpectedly pulling of the deal and makes a statement about the seriousness of your offer. 6. Perform due diligence. Unlike most major purchases, once you buy a home, you can�t return it if something breaks or doesn�t quite work like it�s supposed to. That�s why home owner�s insurance and property inspections are so important. A home owner�s insurance policy protects you in two ways: Against loss or damage to the property itself liability in case someone sustains an injury while on your property The property inspection show expose the secret issues a home might hide so you know exactly what you�re getting into before you sign your closing papers. Your major concern is structural damage. Don�t sweat the small stuff. Things that are easily fixed can be overlooked. If you have a big problem show up in your inspection report, you should bring in a specialist. If the worst-case scenario turns out to be true, you might want to walk away from the purchase. 7. Close. The final stage of the home buying process is the lender�s confirmation of the home�s value and legal statue, and your continued credit-worthiness. This entails a survey, appraisal, title search, and a final check of your credit and finance. Your agent will keep you posted on how each if progressing, but your work is pretty much done. You just have a few preclosing responsibilities: Stay in control of your finances. Return all phone calls and paperwork promptly. Communicate with your agent at least once a week. Several days before closing, confirm with your agent that all your documentation is in place and in order. Obtain certified funds for closing. Conduct a final walk-through. On closing day, with the guidance of a settlement agent and your agent, you�ll sign documents that do the following: Finalize your mortgage. Pay the seller. Pay your closing costs. Transfer the title from the seller to you. Make arrangements to legally record the transaction as a public record. As long as you have clear expectations and follow directions, closing should be a momentous conclusion to your home-searching process and commencement of your home-owning experience. 8. Protect your investment. Throughout the course of your home-buying experience, you�ve probably spent a lot of time with your real estate agent and you�ve gotten to know each other fairly well. There�s no reason to throw all that trust and rapport out the window just because the deal has closed. In fact, your agent wants you to keep in touch. Even after you close on your house, you agent can still help you: Handle your first tax return as a home owner. Find contractors to help with home maintenance or remodeling. Help your friends find homes. Keep track of your home�s current market value. Attention to you home�s maintenance needs is essential to protecting the long-term value of your investment. Home maintenance falls into two categories: Keeping it clean: Perform routine maintenance on your home�s systems, depending on their age and style. Keeping an eye on it: Watch for signs of leaks, damage, and wear. Fixing small problems early can save you big money later.