2 - Familiarize yourself with the mortgage process. Get to know the terminology and the different types of mortgages. Need assistance? Please click here for additional information and a FREE appraisal.

3 - Start by getting pre-approved or pre-qualified. Letting your agent know how much loan you are qualified or approved for will give you an advantage when making an offer to buy the house of your dreams. We can assist with getting a FREE appraisal...click here.

4 - Review your credit report! Make any necessary changes to your credit report that will enhance your credit rating. The better the rating, the better your chances of getting a much lower interest rate on your mortgage and a much faster approval.

5 - Refine your budget! Make an inventory of your current budget expenses before you get ready to buy your new home. Know what you are currently paying in rent, car loans, other debts, utilities, and insurance. The debt to income ratio is critical in defining your mortgage lending rate.

7 - Have a realistic timeline as to how soon you can buy and move in.! Generally, it could take 3-4 months or more to get settled in your new home.

8 - Keep in contact with your O'Brien Real Estate Agent! Start a good relationship with your real estate agent and trust your agent to get you the best buy possible. .

9 - Familiarize yourself with the different house styles, school districts, maps. Having a good visual check on the type of home, where the home is located, where schools are located will help to make your home buying process and decision easier.

10 - Select a lender and obtain your mortgage. Once you make your offer and sign the contract, present your lender with all the details to secure your mortgage.

11 - Start making arrangements for closing. Have a home inspection done, arrange for movers, arrange for homeowners insurance, arrange for utility changeovers.

12 - Close & Move-In! Clean, paint and decorate, make your final moving arrangements and enjoy your new home.

2 - Your front door welcomes the prospect. Always make sure that it is clean and freshly painted. A seasonal door decoration adds a warm, inviting touch.

3 - Decorating helps assure top dollar. Attractively painted walls, in a neutral color, add appeal to your home.

4 - Clean windows show the bright side of your home. By opening draperies and curtains, you highlight your walls and ceilings, letting the prospective buyers see how cheerful your home can be. Use maximum wattage in lamps and light fixtures.

5 - A clean kitchen is a must! Make sure you range, dishwasher, sink and countertops are clean and fresh.

6 - Sparkling bathrooms help sell your home . Repair caulking in bathtubs and showers. Shower doors, ceramic tile and grouting should be cleaned and free of soap film. Fixtures should be polished and free of water marks.

7 - Avoid cluttered appearances. Remove excess furniture and other items that you seldom use. Keep newspapers, toys and other articles picked up. Clean stairways are essential. Objects on any stairs are dangerous.

8 - Make closets look larger. Remove packing items that can be stored elsewhere. Neat, well-organized closets show that there is ample space.

9 - From Top to Bottom. Display the full value of your basement, garage, and other utility space by removing all unnecessary articles. Dark, dull walls are easily brightened with a coat of paint. If the basement or crawl space has a damp smell, place a bag of limestone in the damp area.

10 - Check major appliances. Be sure to clean the exterior of the water heater, furnace and other appliances that will be seen by prospective buyers.

11 - Repairs are Required. If closet doors are off their tracks, door knobs are loose, screen doors don't close, faucets are dripping or floor or ceiling molding is cracked, have them fixed so that top dollar can be asked for.

12 - Many introductions are distracting. Have a few people as possible in the house when it is shown. This puts the prospective buyer at ease and give him a chance to absorb clearly the advantages of your property. If you have a pet we suggest you keep it out of the way, preferably out of the house.

13 - Let your sales associate do the talking. Be polite but do not strike up a conversation with the prospective buyer. Your O'Brien Real Estate agent has already given details on your property and needs all the attention of the buyer to increase his interest.

14 - Night Appointments. Remember to turn on the porch light and any other outside lights that highlight your property when showing the house after dark. Also have the house well lighted throughout, when the hour of appointment nears.