A few years back (I am sure you are fully aware) homes were selling like hotcakes at a Waffle house after church.

During this time, homes were selling almost the same they went on the market! Buyers were rushed into buying homes. Some lenders were “qualifying” the buyers into homes that were well beyond what they could realistically afford.

It didn’t matter they said, because at the end of the day, “you’ll be a home owner and two years from now, we’ll just refinance you and adjust your payment”. Such a shame that a few have spoiled the stew for those that are ethical.

As a Realtor, I tell my clients all the time: You will more than likely buy 3 homes before it is all said and done.

1. Your beginner home. Here, you will learn about yourself and plan for your future and set goals accordingly. Here is where you will discover that the next time you buy a house you DO want direct garage door access into the kitchen and not a bathroom.

2. Your second home will be the one that, usually, you grow in your career, and for those that choose to, grow a family. It is the one that says: I love my family and can provide for them OR it’s your “Look! I made it!” home.

3. Your third house likely will be the one after the kids are grown and gone (if you had them) and the house is just too big to take care of. The one where you decide that you would rather spend your weekend sailing or playing a round of golf and not pulling weeds, unless of course you’re into that!

These life events cannot be rushed. They are steps that we all take and should savor along the way. Don’t buy more than you can realistically afford. You’ll get there…it’s just going to take some time….

Its funny how quickly time passes.

One minute you’re toasting soon to be un-kept New Years Resolutions, next thing you know, you’re preparing, once again, to carve a turkey at Thanksgiving.

Where does the time go? What’s the hurry? Over the summer we couldn’t wait for fall to get here. No sooner had Memorial Day come that we were buying Halloween candy…The day after Halloween, you would see all of the Thanksgiving Day themed paper plates and wind socks. Two weeks before Thanksgiving, the Christmas music starts playing and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is on TBS!

So what’s my point?? What inspired me to post this blog?

As a buyer you have no doubt been hearing how NOW is the right time to buy a home…you’re hearing words like “Tax Credit” “Low interest rates” “get off the fence”.

These are the buzz words. And everyone I know is throwing them out there like leftover meat loaf!

The truth is that right now may NOT be the right time for you to buy a home. Buying a home is a process, and one that you will be well advised to pay attention to.

The process begins when you awake and decide that you would like to know how being a homeowner will benefit you. Next, you’ll want to know what is happening with home values in a neighborhood you’ve been considering. You start to pay attention to what is going on the market, at what price homes are listed, how long they stay on the market and finally what it sells for. This process cannot be rushed! Only by seeing this for yourself will you discover what you are willing to pay for a home.

The next step is to meet with a lender and discuss all of your options. You want to talk about down payments, closing costs, interest rates and finally the payment. How much house can you really afford? What about reserves? Seasoning of funds? Do you even know what these terms are and why they’re important to you?