• Equifax, Experian, and Transunion - are the 3 major credit agencies
• Get a Free Experian Credit report here.
• Get all 3 for $29.95 at CreditReports.com

Step 3 - Get Pre-Approved - find out how much home you can afford. Use an online loan calculator.

Step 4 - Decide what you really want before you start looking. Make 3 lists:

• Things your house MUST have (ex: a pool)
• Things you would like (ex: central air)
• Things you absolutely DO NOT want (ex: a home located next to a highway)

Step 5 - Learn how a Real Estate Agent can help you - How Buyer's, Seller's and Dual Agents differ:

• Seller's Agent - works for the firm that holds a seller's listing. The agent's loyalty is with the seller so you, as a buyer, should not give confidential information to a seller's agent. Assume any agent is a seller's agent unless you've signed a contract to change that status.
   
• Buyer's Agent - signs a contract to represent a buyer in a home search and sale. This agent is loyal to the buyer and therefore buyer's agents should not disclose confidential information about the buyer to the seller or seller's agent. Some buyer's agents work only with buyers, and take no listings. Many do both.
   
• Dual Agent - works for the firm that holds a seller's listing, and who has signed a contract to represent a buyer who wishes to purchase that listing.

Step 6 - Start Searching - click on the Homes for Sale link above to view all the listed homes in this area.

Step 7 - Make an Offer. Have a very good idea of the home's market value before you make an offer. Here are some tips that can help you get the best deal when buying a home.

• Offer Too Low - you'll run the risk of alienating the seller. Some seller's take a low offer as a personal insult and may not be as anxious to deal with you.
   
• Offer Too High - you may not find the seller's low point. If you really want the house, and if competition is high, an offer near or above the asking price might be a must.

Step 8 - Home Inspections - evaluates the structure of the house, and gives feedback about other systems such as the roof, plumbing, electrical system, heating and air conditioning units, insulation, doors, windows and more. Home inspections are an extra expense and usually optional, but you likely really do need one. Plus keep in mind that an inspection that uncovers safety issues can at least help you prioritize repairs.

Steps in Selling a Home
  
Step 1 - Research the market in the area where you wish to live. Are you planning a step up? Can you afford it?
 
Step 2 - Check your mortgage payoff - how much to pay off your current loan?
 
Step 3 - Get Pre-Approved - find out how much home you can afford. Use an online loan calculator.

Step 4 - How much is your present home worth? Ask an agent or get an appraisal. (Do both to be sure about the price.)

Step 5 - What are your costs to sell: real estate commission, advertising costs, attorney, professional fees, excise tax, survey and inspection fees if applicable. If you're unsure, ask a real estate agent - they handle transactions every day and can give you a very close estimate.

Step 6 - Determine your costs to acquire a new home: moving expenses, loan costs, down payment, home inspection

Step 7 - Make necessary repairs. Check these repair hotspots that worry buyers the most:

• mold and mildew
• wet basements and crawlspaces
• deteriorated roofing
• plumbing problems
• inferior electrical systems
• inadequate heating and cooling systems
• insufficient number of smoke detectors
• poorly functioning appliances
• structural and foundation flaws

Step 8 - Ready the house for showing: scrub, paint and organize the clutter

Step 9 - Don't lurk. Buyers feel more comfortable looking at your home with an agent when you are not present.

Step 10 - How to select an agent:

• Which agency's ads or websites are most appealing?
• Which feature virtual tours on their sites?
• Does agency provide multiple pix of the home?
• Which agencies advertise in magazines or on TV?
• Was their website easy to find when searching for property in a certain area?
• Ask friends for referrals.
• Interview agents - ask questions:
   
• What marketing tactics will they use to sell your home?
• Will they use MLS?
• Do they belong to more than one MLS?
• What's the commission rate? How does it compare to other agencies?
• What's the average length of time to sell a comparable house?
• How long will they keep your listing?
• How long has the agent been licensed?
• What percentage of the agency's listings sell during initial listing period?
• How often can you expect buyer feedback?
• Does the agency use lockboxes?
• How are showings handled?