Buying a home will probably rank as one of the biggest personal investments

one can make. Being organized and in control will contribute significantly to

getting the best home deal possible with the least amount of stress. It's

important to anticipate the steps required to successfully achieve your

housing goal and to build a plan of action that gets you there.

Before you can build a plan of action, take the time to lay the groundwork for

your decision-making process.

First, ask yourself how much can you afford to pay for a home in the Colorado

Springs Real Estate market. If you're not sure on the price range, find a lender

and get preapproved. Preapproval will let you know how much you can afford

so that you can look for homes in your price range. Getting pre-approved helps

you to alleviate some of the anxieties that come with home buying. You know

exactly what you qualify for and at what rate, you know how large your

monthly mortgage payments will be, and you know how much you will have

for a down payment. Once you are pre-approved, you avoid the frustration of

finding homes that you think are perfect, but are not in your price range.

Second, ask yourself where you want to live and what is the best location for

you and/or your family. Things to consider:

*convenience for all family members
*proximity to work, school
*crime rate of neighborhood
*local transportation
*types of homes in neighborhood, for example condos, town homes, co-ops,

newly constructed homes etc.