There are many questions that come to mind when buying a home. Here's few answers to frequently asked questions.
What is the best time to buy a home? Because many buyers prefer to move in the spring or summer, the market starts to heat up as early as February. Families with children are anxious to buy so they can move during summer vacation, before the new school year begins.

In our local market, May through July is peak home-buying season. Although, buyers will find a good selection of homes almost any time.

How long does it take to buy a house? Buying a house can take from a few days to a few months. In most cases, the process will take several months of diligent effort. A good first step is to determine the geographical area that appeals to you. Your Realtor can help you determine a realistic time table for completing the process.

How long should I look before buying a home? You should look until you find the home that is right for you. This could take a week or a month depending on your personal needs and the state of the real estate market. Ideally, you would like to find a home after you have looked long enough to know what you like and what you do not like. You need time to educate yourself about the housing inventory.

How many times should I look at a house before I make an offer?

You will no doubt want to take a second or third look at a house that interests you. Your Realtor can arrange this. You should drive or walk by the house to get a better feel for the neighborhood. Return several times, at least once during rush hour, to see if the street is busy or congested. Drive a few blocks away from the house to see if the neighborhood holds up to your expectations.

How much can I afford to spend? Experts say you will typically spend about a third of your income on financing your home. Before you start to look for your dream house, you should figure out just how much of that dream you can afford. Talk with your lender about being pre-qualified or pre-approved before you actually start looking at homes.

How do you find a good agent? A good agent typically works full-time and has several years of experience at minimum. You don't usually pay for your agent's services (in the form of a commission, or percentage of the sales price of the home). The seller usually pays all agents in a transaction from the sales proceeds.

A good Realtor will help with many questions that arise during your home search. It's quite normal to have a lot of questions. Don't be afraid to ask them.