1. Thinking About Buying a Home

Buying a home is probably the biggest financial investment you'll ever make. It's not just a dollars-and-cents investment; it's an investment in your life.  It creates a sense of stability and identity for you and your family.  Regardless of how times change, owning a home remains the cornerstone of the American dream.

	Is it time for a different home?  Do you need more space for a growing family?  Do you need less space now the kids have grown?  Do you want to travel and not worry about keeping your yard?
	Is it time to stop renting and buy your own home?  Are your financial resources ready to purchase a new home?  Are tax credits available to purchase a new home that may not be available later.

2.  Use Rector-Hayden, Realtors for Information and Research

If you need information about real estate, Rector-Hayden, Realtors is the right company for you.  We have hundreds of knowledgeable agents ready to help with any question you have about buying real estate property.  Our website has many different ways to search for homes currently on the market.  We also provide you with a tool to build webcasts of Rector-Hayden listings for sale on RectorHayden.TV.  Let Rector-Hayden, Realtors be the place for your information needs.

	Search homes for sale on RHR.com.  We have many diffferent ways to search for homes and we have thousands of homes to view.  All brokerage offered real estate listings in our marketplace appear on this website when sellers desire their homes to be viewed on the internet.  We are a total inventory brokerage company.  Below are some of the search methods available.
	Use our quick search feature located on most non-property pages of our website.  Search by address, county, street number, street name, zip code, MLS number or Hotline number.     Click on FIND A PROPERTY in the menu at the top of every page to begin our area searches.      Our website offers many of the standard tools which let you search by Map, by Subdivision, by Radius, or by MLS #.  Once you begin any search you will see the menu tabs for all of these searches.     Try our unique "Search by Payment" tool which lets you enter mortgage parameters first, calculate a price range next, and then add the rest of your criteria like beds, baths, and other features.     We have made finding open houses easy.  We display upcoming open houses on our home page.  We have made a special search called Open Homes and we have placed a checkbox on the other seach options that will find just open houses.
	Use Rector-Hayden's "My Virtual Agent" notification/shopping cart system to keep you updated on homes that meet your criteria.  Click here to begin using your personal "My Virtual Agent"
	Visit our webcast site at RectorHayden.TV to build your own webcast of Rector Hayden showcased listings.

3. Think Financing, and Contact a Mortgage Lender 

When you are a serious buyer, you need to get serious about financing the purchase of a new home.  You may be able to pay by cash and not worry about a mortgage.  Most of us cannot do this.  The majority of home buyers in the USA need a mortgage when they purchase a home.  The sooner you meet with a mortgage lender, the sooner you will feel confident about making offers on homes that match your lifestyle and meet your financial parameters.

4.  Ready to Get Started with a Rector-Hayden Buyer's Agent

When you are ready to buy, we are ready to help.  It makes sense to connect with a Rector-Hayden agent that is trained to represent you in the buying process.  Your Rector-Hayden "buyer's" agent will help your home search go easier by using their experience to find information on properties, communicate with the listing agent, and help negoiate the purchase contract.  Why not get assistance early in the process.  Get the most value and start working with one of our agents as soon as you can.

5.  Find the Home of Your Dreams

There are many choices to make when you are looking for a new home.  Some of the first choices involve finding information.  Websites are great but real estate agents are even better.  They know things that do not show up on websites.  When you are working with a Rector-Hayden agent, they can look out for those extra special features you desire, want or need.  Our agents can set up search criteria in our real estate systems to keep you updated.  Our agents can make appointments with listing agents to get you into the houses for a showing so you can walk around and get the feel of a house you saw on the internet or from a passing yard sign.

6. Make an Offer with Experience Beside You

At some point, maybe after seeing just two homes or maybe after many home visits, you will find the home or land parcel that fits your lifestyle and your finances.  At this point, you make an offer to the seller.  When you work with a Rector-Hayden agent, we are right there with you to create the offer to purchase.  We help you note the terms and conditions you would like to make in the offer.

7. Home Inspections, Counter Offers and More

Most of the time an offer to purchase will involve a home inspection.  Just think about the average house and all the items which are behind walls, up in attics, down in crawl spaces and hidden behind equipment you have to screw off covers and get a good looksee.  Your dream home may pass with flying colors but many times the inspectors recommend repairs or adjustments.  If your offer to purchase stated it was based upon a home inspection then repairs might be due or the inspection could find something which makes you happy to walk away.

8. Protect Your Investment, Home Warranties

If you have not thought about a home warranty on your home purchase now is a good time.  A Rector-Hayden agent will discuss the home warranty when you make an offer.  Many times the seller has purchased a home warranty an offered it with the sell of the home.  The warranties come in different varieties and are offered by different companies.  Just know this is a good item to have in your possesson when you purchase a new home.

9. Closing on Your Home, and Beyond

At some point in your future you close on the home where you meeting with the seller(s), attorney, and real estate agents.  You will have lots of paperwork to sign so remember to keep all those papers in a place you can find later.  You will need them for home warranty issues and for filing taxes in some cases.

After the closing, you get to move into your new place.  Remember to contact the utility companies, post office, friends and family, and all the individuals and entities that knew you by your old address.