Homebuyer's Guide
From Dream to Reality with CENTURY 21®: On Your Way to Your First Home

Buying a home is one of the most important personal and financial decisions you'll ever make. That's why CENTURY 21 wants you to have this step-by-step guide to help you find and buy your first home. We're also here to answer your questions along the way. We want your first real estate experience to be both hassle-free and rewarding.

The following Guide explains the real estate process in plain English. What you're about to read is an overview of the procedures normally followed in a typical home purchase. Read on and see how finding and owning your dream home can be easier than you think with help from CENTURY 21.

Preparing to Find and Buy a Home

Knowledge Is Power ... Accurate Information Is Essential

Before you start looking for a home, become an educated consumer. Knowledge is power and misinformation gets in your way. First, learn about the process and requirements for buying a home. Common misconceptions include ? renting is always cheaper than buying ? you have to be a Permanent Resident of the United States to buy a home ? and you have to have a huge down payment to qualify for a mortgage.

Here are the facts. You only need a work permit to buy a house. And in some cases, the starter costs of renting may be about the same as a house down payment. As you start your search to find a home, keep informed. Talk with people who've gone through the home-buying process ... attend home-buying seminars ... and visit with knowledgeable real estate experts like those at your local CENTURY 21® Real Estate office. Find the office nearest you by visiting Century21.com, calling 1-800-4-HOUSES, or registering online at My Century 21.

Choosing Your Real Estate Professional

Deciding to find and buy a home is one of the most important decisions of your life. It combines your personal hopes and dreams with wanting what's best for you and your family. It means making changes. That's why it's in your best interest to choose an experienced real estate agent who listens to and understands your needs, and works in the area where you want to live. When you choose a CENTURY 21 Agent, you're dealing with an experienced professional who understands your concerns and will provide you with the personalized service that makes all the difference. CENTURY 21 is in 42 countries, 7,800 offices, 104 languages, and represented by 143,000 agents who understand the life changes that real estate decisions can bring. What should you expect in your first meeting with a real estate agent? A CENTURY 21 agent typically will talk to you about the neighborhood where you want to live, home prices, schools, transportation, and the surrounding commercial and residential areas. Before you find a home, your agent can also assist you in talking with a mortgage representative about getting a "mortgage pre-approval". It's helpful to get pre-approved before you find a home so you'll know how much money you have to spend. You also can calculate how much you can afford in monthly payments. CENTURY 21 has online financial calculators to help you.