Preparing to Buy
___		Determine that buying is the right decision
___		Understand the requirements for buying
___		Order a credit report online to review credit history
		___					Resolve credit issues if necessary
___		Assemble the money you will need into one place
___		Get pre-approved for mortgage through www.familyGA.com or another source
___		Decide to work with real estate agent or by yourself or both
Finding A New Home
___	Research neighborhoods
	___		Drive around the interesting areas
	___		Test commute by driving it
	___		Talk with local merchants and neighbors about the area
	___		Assess the schools with familymortgagega.com or another source
	___		Decide on neighborhoods to concentrate on
Understand the market
___	Read the Real Estate section of the paper for info
___	Visit open houses and talk with sellers and agents about the market
___	Psychologically prepare to move quickly if you are in a seller's market and get pre-approved for your mortgage
Start to Shop
___	Make a list of amenities desired in a new home
	___		Rank the amenities by most desired
___	See properties, both FSBO and those listed with agents
___	Assess each property against your list
___	Decide on a house that's right and prepare to make an offer
Writing the Offer
___	Obtain contract forms from your agent or another source
___	Know the typical elements of an offer and contract
___	Hire a real estate attorney to handle the contract if desired
___	Decide on an offer price
	___		Compare the house to other houses on the market
___	Decide on the inspections you want to have and how you want to handle it if they are not satisfactory
___	Give the seller or agent a check for the earnest money deposit and make it clear in the offer when and where the check is to be deposited
___	Decide whether you want the seller to contribute to your closing costs
___	Decide on timeframes for inspections, financing and settlement
Negotiating the Offer
___	Offer is presented for consideration
___	Verify to seller that you are pre-approved to purchase (get pre-approved at familymortgagega.com )
___	Receive seller's response and respond
	___		Accepted? Move on to Handling the Details
	___		Declined? Walk away or re-offer
	___		Counter-offer? Assess
			___	Price is acceptable or counter-offer price is decided upon -
			___	Make sure you still qualify at the new price - do you have enough cash and income?
			___	Timeframes for inspections, financing and settlement acceptable or alternatives decided on for counter offer
			___	Inspection, closing cost contribution and other contingencies are acceptable or alternatives decided on for counter-offer
			___	Earnest money deposit is acceptable or alternative decided on for counter offer
___	Accept counter offer, reject counter offer or prepare counter-offer in response to contract
	___		Put time-frame in counter offer for seller's response
Handling the Details
___	Home inspection completed if contract requires
	___		Home inspection followed up on
	___		Home inspection issues resolved if necessary
___	Radon inspection completed if contract requires
	___		Radon inspection followed up on
	___		Radon inspection issues resolved if necessary
___	Other inspections completed if required by contract
	___		Roof inspection
	___		Electrical inspection
	___		Other _____________________
			___	Inspections followed up on
			___	Inspection issues resolved if necessary
___	Property disclosures delivered, or condo documents if appropriate
	___		Property disclosures approved
	___		Property disclosure issues resolved if necessary
___	Apply for mortgage
	___		Provide pre-approval letter to seller if not already provided
	___		Appraisal completed
	___		Appraisal followed up on
	___		Appraisal issues resolved if necessary
	___		Mortgage is approved
___	Open escrow with your title company or another source
	___		Deposit earnest money with escrow company
	___		Provide necessary documents to escrow company
	___		Survey is completed if necessary
	___		Title search is completed
			___	Issues with title search resolved if necessary
			___	Title commitment completed (title work done)
___	Termite inspection ordered if necessary
	___		Termite inspection completed
	___		Termite inspection followed up on
	___		Termite inspection issues resolved if necessary
___	Obtain Homeowners insurance
	___		Pay for one year in advance
	___		Provide paid receipt and insurance binder to lender
___	Repairs required by contract or inspections completed
___	Settlement/Closing date and time scheduled
	___		with escrow officer or closing attorney
	___		with the lender
	___		with the seller
___	Final walk-through completed with seller
	___		Satisfied with walk-through?
	___		Issues with walk-through resolved if necessary
Settlement/Closing
___	Review documents 24 -48 hours in advance
	___		Resolve issues with documents if necessary
___	Make sure all lender's requirements have been met
___	Determine exact amount of money necessary for settlement
	___		Obtain certified check for settlement
___	Settle!