Buyer Advice: Credit & Mortgage

Buying a home can be one of your most significant investments in life. Not only are you choosing your dwelling place, and the place in which you will bring up your family, you are most likely investing a large portion of your assets into this venture. The more prepared you are at the outset, the less overwhelming and chaotic the buying process will be. The goal of this page is to provide you with detailed information to assist you in making an intelligent and informed decision. 

Benefits of Owning Your Own Home The Best Investment Income Tax Savings Stable Monthly Housing Costs Forced Savings Freedom & Individuality More Space   Getting Ready to Buy First Time Buyer Tips Buyer's Bill of Rights Home Buying Process Preparing for Home Ownership Take the Trauma Out of Buying Buyer Mistakes to Avoid   Things to avoid before buying a home Don't move money around The effect of Changing Jobs No major purchases of any kind   Credit Scores Back To School: Credit Reporting 101 What is a Credit Score? Quick Steps to a Better Credit Score Becoming Debt Free Guard Against Identity Theft Top Credit Misconceptions   Comparable Sales and Your Offer Price Determining your offer price Comparable Sales Pending Sales Other Factors in Pricing   Offer to Purchase - Basics Introduction Contingencies in an offer Earnest Money Deposit The Closing Date Transfer of Possession   Writing an Offer Seller's Disclosures Property Condition at Transfer Inspections You Should Require Final Walk Through   How Financing Affects Your Offer Down Payment Interest Rates Closing Costs & Financing Incentives Seller Financing Cash Offers Other Financing Details   FHA and VA Financing Extra costs for the seller VA and FHA appraisals

IMPORTANT 1st Time Buyer Info ! Get the $8,000 Tax Credit. Ends 11/30/09.     AFFORDABLE HOME MORTGAGE (Tampa) - Kimberley Anderson.  Our preferred in-house lender.  "Kim Possible" will work to get you the best deal and get the job done.Email   813-514-6500  WEICHERT FINANCIAL SERVICES - Speak to a Weichert Gold Services manager for Financing, Insurance, Title Insurance, Move Coordination and more! WELLS FARGO HOME MORTGAGE -  Steve Holryod - Email - Web - (813) 361-8105 Brian Rassi - Email - Web - (954) 229-1109   McDUFFY MORTGAGE - Matt McDuffy  813-990-5626 FINCHER & ASSOCIATES - Brad Fincher 813-350-9195 AMERICAN SOUTH LENDING - Ian Backer = Web - 407-645-1900   REGIONS BANK  -  Jon Uphouse 727-592-6819 Email

Worksheets & Checklists Property Wish List Change of Address List Rent vs. Buy   Home Inspections Hidden Defects to Watch For Questions for Your Inspectors List of Home Inspectors   Homeowner's Insurance Homeowner's Insurance - FL List of Home Insurance Companies Sinkholes & Hurricanes   Don't Buy a Car When income grows & you want to buy "stuff" Debt-to-Income Ratios & Car Payments How buying a car reduces your purchase price   Credit Reporting Agencies TransUnion Equifax Experian Annual Free Credit Report LifeLock - Identity Theft Prevention   The Business Cycle and Buying a Home Recession & Expansion Supply & Demand Timing the Market   Major Factors in Pricing Property Condition Home Improvements Market Conditions Seller Motivation Final Decision   Property Taxes Florida Property Taxes CDD - Community Development Districts   Mortgage Information A few points about interest rates Compare Closing Costs Don't Do This Before Buying! Getting Finances In Order How Much Mortgage? Questions for Your Lender List of Lenders   Selecting Service Providers You and seller must agree Escrow & Settlement Title Insurance Termite & Pest Inspection List of Title Companies & Real Estate Attorneys