Getting Started

Before you start looking for a home you should ask yourself a few questions:

• Where do you want to live? Do you want to be close to schools, shopping or work?
• What kind of house would you like (need)? Are you looking for a particular style? How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you want? Do you want a yard?
• How much house can you afford? Have you consulted a Realtor or mortgage lender to determine the size of the mortgage you would qualify for?

Here are a few tips to help you get organized:

• Pull a credit report on yourself and make sure the information is accurate. If you find any errors take steps to correct them immediately.  You can access a free credit report once yearly at www.annualcreditreport.com. 
• Browse through real estate advertisements in the newspaper, WyomingHomesMag.com magazine and here on WyomingHomesMag.com. This will give you a good feel for the types of homes that are on the market and what they cost.
• Visit open houses on the weekend. It doesn't cost anything to look, and looking at a few different homes might give you ideas for things you'd like in a house but haven't considered.
• Start saving money - you'll need to have cash on hand for a down payment and closing costs.
• Don't incur any additional debt. Pay down your credit cards - and don't apply for any new ones. Don't make any major purchases on credit - buy the furniture or car later.
• Contact a Realtor that you are comfortable with and trust to help you locate houses that match your criteria and answer any questions that you might have.  A professional Realtor can walk you through every step of the process and even help you find a lender that will suit your needs.