<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Live In Des Moines &#187; Mortgage</title>
	<atom:link href="http://liveindesmoines.com/tag/mortgage/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://liveindesmoines.com</link>
	<description>Amber Salmon, Realtor in Des Moines, Iowa</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:00:42 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1</generator>
		<item>
		<title>FAQ: Where do I start?</title>
		<link>http://liveindesmoines.com/2008/12/faq-where-do-i-start/</link>
		<comments>http://liveindesmoines.com/2008/12/faq-where-do-i-start/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Dec 2008 16:46:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>asalmon</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[FAQ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[First Time Buyer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lender]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mortgage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Offer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Realtor]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://liveindesmoines.com/?p=64</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[  Thinking of buying your first home?  Not sure where to start? How about a simple checklist to get you started&#8230; 1) MEET WITH A LENDER &#8211; A lender will sit down with you and go through your current finances.  They are highly qualified to help you understand what your financial obligation of owning a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="tweetmeme_button" style="float: left; margin-right: 10px;">
			<a href="http://api.tweetmeme.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fliveindesmoines.com%2F2008%2F12%2Ffaq-where-do-i-start%2F"><br />
				<img src="http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http%3A%2F%2Fliveindesmoines.com%2F2008%2F12%2Ffaq-where-do-i-start%2F&amp;source=ambersalmon&amp;style=normal" height="61" width="50" /><br />
			</a>
		</div>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<address style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://liveindesmoines.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/121508-0201.jpg" rel="shadowbox[post-64];player=img;"><img class="size-full wp-image-70 aligncenter" title="Buyer Checklist" src="http://liveindesmoines.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/121508-0201.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="232" /></a><strong></strong></address>
<address style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong> </address>
<address style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><strong>Thinking of buying your first home?  Not sure where to start?</strong></address>
<p>How about a simple checklist to get you started&#8230;</p>
<p>1) <strong>MEET WITH A LENDER &#8211; </strong>A lender will sit down with you and go through your current finances.  They are highly qualified to help you understand what your financial obligation of owning a home would be. Together you will find a price point that you are comfortable spending.</p>
<p>There are many, many lenders that you can choose from, and YES, some are better than others.  You want to find a lender that will watch out for you, and who has your best interest in mind.  If you need a refferal, please let me know.  <em><strong>I&#8217;m happy to refer you to a reputable lender in this area.</strong></em></p>
<p>2) <strong>MEET WITH YOUR REAL ESTATE AGENT- </strong>Be sure that the Realtor you choose is someone that you trust.  You need someone who understands that this is a VERY important purchase for you.  They should know the neighborhoods of your desired area, and if they don&#8217;t they should refer you to someone who does. </p>
<p>Together, you and your Realtor will:</p>
<p>-<strong>locate neighborhoods</strong> that will fit your needs</p>
<p>-determine what <strong>style of home</strong> you are looking for (townhome, single family, etc.)</p>
<p>-go on <strong>&#8220;tours&#8221; of homes</strong> to see what your likes and dislikes are (be sure to TELL your agent&#8230;it&#8217;s amazing how many people keep to themselves when touring homes).</p>
<p>-find <strong>&#8220;THE ONE&#8221;</strong> and write your first offer!</p>
<p>3)<strong> WRITING YOUR OFFER</strong>! &#8211; Now things are getting exciting!  You&#8217;ve find your dream home, you want to buy it&#8230;and you&#8217;re ready to write your offer.  Your Realtor should <strong>do an analysis</strong> on the home to be sure that you are not overspending.  This will also help to see what the market in that particular neighborhood has been doing lately and can help determine your asking price.  If your Realtor hasn&#8217;t done this&#8230;ask them to.  It&#8217;s their job!</p>
<p>This should get your started.  As you go through this process you see that there is much more to learn, and if you have a patient Realtor, they&#8217;ll guide you through the process carefully. If you are feeling like things are going too fast, or you are uncomfortable, just say so!  If you like to contact me with any questions, feel free to text, call, or email me.</p>
<p><strong>Have More Questions? There are definitely more answers…</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="mailto:asalmon@firstrealtyhomes.com">asalmon@firstrealtyhomes.com</a></strong></p>
<pre>As always, my blog is filled with my own opinions and are in no way the opinions of <a title="Amber Salmon, Prudential First Realty" href="http://asalmon.firstrealtyhomes.com/index.php" target="_blank">Prudential First Realty</a>.</pre>
<p class="facebook"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http://liveindesmoines.com/2008/12/faq-where-do-i-start/" target="_blank" title="Share on Facebook">Share on Facebook</a></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://liveindesmoines.com/2008/12/faq-where-do-i-start/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
