We're going to start looking

for a house. I am so new to this and have no idea where to begin

Anyone have any pointers?

I would recommend that you start driving around in towns that you are interested in so you can decide which areas you like best. If schools are important to you, do a bit of research on which school systems are best. Look in Newsday and visit some open houses on weekends. Also, go to http://www.mlslirealtor.com/ and www.foxtons.com to see houses that are available, and to get ideas of prices.

If you are ready to purchase a house I would strongly recommend finding a reputable mortgage banker or broker and getting pre-approved for a mortgage. Not only will this help you to narrow down the price range that you need to look in, this will give you an edge on other buyers. Sellers (and realtors) love pre-approved buyers b/c they know that they can get a mortgage. A offer made by a pre-approved buyer will carry more weight and will be more attractive than one made by a non-approved buyer. (Many times, a non-approved buyer will make and offer on a house, and will then be unable to get the necessary mortgage, so the deal falls through.)

But most of all - have fun!! You will know the right house when you find it! (Sometimes finding 'the one' can take a while, so try not to get discouraged either - your house is out there!)

Best of Luck to You!!

USE A BUYERS BROKER! Best thing I ever did! THe seller still pays their commission but they work for you!

Good Luck!

Congrats Heather!!!! where do you plan to look?
I would say figure out what you want in a house
Do you want a ranch? do you like a cape? do you like a colonial? (i prefer an undormered cape, that way i can expand on it later on and taylor it to my taste)

Do you need a garage and a basement? I NEED a basement but I am iffy on the Garage because frank can always build a garage.

What town do you prefer to live in ? Are the school districts to your standards there? How are the taxes, remember that the taxes can raise your mortgage another 500.00 a month or more.

Are you getting Pre Approved? Some houses will only accept a bid from buyers who are pre approved.

Most importantly how much mortgage can you afford...

Take into concideration on location, is it close to a main road, is it close to a busy train station? These will be noisier situations.

Also my biggest problem to date MOLD MOLD MOLD.. almost every house we looked at it had mold, not only is it costly to remove but then you have to find the problem and correct it and that can be ALOT of money.. You can see the mold on the walls of the basement and just by the smell...You will want to base your bid on that or move on, once it penetrates the walls upstairs it is a gut job then..

Look for other problems too, like we once saw a house that had an electric socket above the pipes (MAJOR VIOLATION) and then there was houses that had garages but they expanded the houses into the drive way so it rendered the garage usless for a car, and it was something i hadnt even noticed.

I could go on and on.. let me know!!

Just wanted to say congrats and wish you lots of luck...I hope you find something you like and don't settle! Something better will always come along

FYI - If you use a buyer's broker who tells you that the seller will pay their commission, then they are only showing you houses that have a buyer's broker commission.

For Multiple Listing houses there is a listing agent commission and a selling agent commission. Selling agents strictly work for the seller. Sometimes the listing agency will also offer a buyer's agent commission in addition to a selling agent commission. (In this case, the buyers agent will get the selling commission, although they work for the buyer. They will be paid by the seller.) Listing agents do not always offer a buyer's agent commission. (I have seen plenty of listings like this.) Also, if a house is an Exclusive, and your buyer's agent/broker does not work for the agency that has that exclusive listing - they will not be paid by the seller.

Buyer's agents/brokers are terrific b/c they look out for the buyer's best interest. But they do not always get paid by the seller.

just wanted to say YAY for you!!!! looks like these girls covered all bases... let me know if i can be of any help. i'll keep my eyes and ears open for ya!
just remember.. location, location, location! it's especially important bc of schools for justin...

Congrats Heather!!!!


the above posts have covered alot...since you have Justin, I would want to make sure it is a quiet street...


figuring out how much you can spend is probably the most important...


good luck!!!

Looks like everything has been covered. Just wanted to say good luck and congrats

thanks girls so much for the advice!!!
It is so overwhelming

We are still looking into staying in Nassua - Bellmore, Merrick, East Meadow, Plainview, Levittown (although not a Levit house) areas. School is very important to us. I have Justin in a private school now, but then again he is only 2 So school will be a huge factor.

We did meet with a realtor over the weekend and gave him an idea of what we were looking for. Preferably a mother/daughter with a garage on a quiet street. I'll keep you guys updated

Congrats, I would definitly get pre approved for amortgage, so you know what you can afford to pay. Also the mortgage brokers will tell you you can afford more then you actually can, if you want to maintain a normal lifestyle.

Good luck!

YOU didnt tell me that
good luck!

Get pre-approved!!!! And run your numbers so you know exactly what you can afford and how much bargaining power you will have. Be firm with your realtor on price ranges. We had realtors show us stuff out of our range and they would say you can always make an offer. The house is over priced. We would fall in love with a house and it would sell for the asking or over the asking price and we wouldn't even have a shot!!! This can be heart breaking.

All in all enjoy it! Try not to let it stress you out. Take notes in each house (even draw a pictue) you will see so many that you will forget which goes with which house!

GOOD LUCK!!

Just wanted to wish you good luck with your search! Everyone gave very good advice I would only add not to get discouraged if it takes you a few months to find the right house.

Same here ... just wanted to wish you lots of luck and a 'stress free' journey to buying your house!

Congratulations!! And Lots of luck!!!!!!