We've saved the best for last. In many ways home finding is easier than choosing a county and a community because you are considering tangible details. Yet our experience suggests that many people "decide" with emotion and "justify" with facts. This section will help you strike a better balance.First, one should realize that thousands of houses are sold in the area every year. Inspecting the thousands of houses on the market is obviously impossible. But you can turn this overwhelming selection to your advantage. If you can clearly describe the features you require, Diane can make a preliminary screening for you. After you select the best houses you can concentrate on inspecting your top choices. The key is knowing what you need.

House Questions.
How many people will be living in the house? Do you prefer a new or resale home? What is your preferred housing style? Town house, Colonial, contemporary, split level, split foyer, Cape Cod, or something else?How many total rooms do you need? Bedrooms, bathrooms? How strongly do you require features such as separate living room, dining room, laundry room, basement or attic, family room, fireplace, workshop area, garage? (Some people consider central air conditioning a summertime necessity.) How much property do you require? Do you have preferences for any particular natural features?

House Hunting
Many of our customers find it helpful to keep a record of the houses they inspect. A large notebook (8.5 x 11) is handy with pages large enough to record vital information as well as hold stapled instant pictures of attractive houses and communities or clipped advertisements.

Home Insurance
Most lenders require a homebuyer to provide at closing a conformation that a Home Insurance Policy has been put in place. These policies are available from leading insurance companies. Fire and hazard insurance provides protection for fire and other perils to your home and its contents.

An Expert House Inspector
What can homebuyers expect from a home inspector besides a bill for $150-$350 (depending on size of property and/or complexity of the inspector's report)?

• First of all, require proof of membership in the Society of Home Inspectors.
• Expect a quickly delivered (one or two day) written report
• Expect practical returns. While you can see for yourself many flaws in a house, the practiced eye of a professional inspector can probably spot more, especially in areas not easily accessible to a home buyer.
• Specific information could even reduce the price of a house if the seller will agree
  the price has not already been discounted for defects
• Possible Repairs:
  0 Serious problems (heating, roofing, plumbing).
  0 Medium problems (insulation, paint).
  0 Minor problems (electrical outlets, kitchen sink).
  0 If no serious problems are found, inspection can payoff indirectly in assurance that you are making a sound investment.