Home Buyers Round Table

Home buying guide

The Mechanics of Home Buying:

Buy vs. Rent
Home Buying Checklist
The Value of Using a REALTOR
Find a Realtor
The Value of a Home Inspection
Find a Home Inspector

Buy vs. Rent

What are the advantages of home ownership? You’ll love the feeling of having something that’s all yours - a home where your own personal style will tell the world who you are. A thriving vegetable garden in the backyard, a tiled entryway, a yellow kitchen… When you own, you can do it all your way! But there’s more to owning a home than personal satisfaction. You can deduct the cost of your mortgage loan interest from your federal income taxes, and usually from your state taxes, too. Interest will compose the majority of your monthly payment for several years. This adds up to hefty savings at the end of each year. You are also allowed to deduct the property taxes you pay as a homeowner. If you rent, you write your monthly check and it’s gone forever. Another financial plus in owning a home is the possibility its value will go up through the years.

Home Buying Checklist

The Value of Using a REALTOR®

Using a real estate agent is a very smart idea. All the details involved in home buying, particularly the financial ones, can be mind-boggling. A good real estate professional can guide you through the entire process and make the experience much easier. A real estate agent will be well-acquainted with all the important things you’ll want to know about a neighborhood you may be considering: the quality of schools, the number of children in the area, the safety of the neighborhood, traffic volume, and more. He or she will help you search the classified ads and multiple listing services for homes you’ll want to see. With immediate access to homes as soon as they’re put on the market, the agent can save you hours of wasted driving-around time. When it’s time to make an offer on a home, the agent can point out ways to structure your deal to save you money. He or she will guide you through the paperwork, and be there to hold your hand and answer last-minute questions when you sign the final papers at closing. And you don’t have to pay the broker anything! The payment usually comes from the home seller - not from the buyer.

Find a REALTOR®

Realtors who are members of the Home Buyers Round Table of Dane County will protect your interests, and can help you find the right property at the right price.

Please go to Member Resources to find a list of members of the Home Buyers Round Table.

The Value of a Home Inspection

All homes should be inspected prior to purchase. A non-biased third-party inspection will help you make educated decisions about your investment, give you peace of mind and answer important questions.

Find a Home Inspector

Select a home inspector who is formally trained and licensed in the State of Wisconsin. Professional home inspectors will provide you with comprehensive home inspections, including written reports that comply with the Wisconsin State Standards of Practice.

Don DeSmidt

HomePro Systems, Inc

608-222-9303

homepro1@sbcglobal.net

Bob Dubeau

HomeTeam Inspection Service

608-270-9204

hometeaminspection.com/dubeau.asp

Dick Horan

Assurance Inspection Service

608-827-6761

assuranceis.com