You've picked a great time to buy your home. Despite steady appreciation of home prices, relatively low interest rates have kept the costs of home ownership at near historic lows.

Here are some tips to help you with the process of becoming your own landlord.

1. Pre-qualify for a loan
   Being pre-qualified for a loan determines how much house you can afford. It also allows you to move more swiftly when you find the right house, especially when you aren't the only interested buyer.
2. Shop for mortgage rates and terms
   A difference of even half a percentage point can make a huge difference in how much you pay over the life of a loan. For example, the difference in the monthly payment on a $100,000 mortgage at 8 percent vs. 7.5 percent is about $35 per month. Over 30 years, that's $12,600.
3. Using a buyer agent
   A buyer agent is legally responsible for representing the buyer's interest in a real estate transaction. Generally, the buyer agent is compensated by the seller at the time you purchase a new home.
4. Features that help or hurt resale value
   In some areas, a swimming pool actually detracts from a home's value and makes the home harder to sell. In neighborhoods with two-car, attached garages, a single-car or detached garage may impact the home sale and future value. Your Realtor can point out features that hurt, as well as those which help, resale value.
5. Rate the houses you tour
   After touring each home, write down what you liked and didn't like. Develop a rating system which will help you narrow the field down to the house that's the best for you.

As a major contributor to KingwoodForSale.com, Marty Landry, a licensed REALTOR®, can be your dedicated, experienced, and knowledgeable real estate agent when you are ready to buy your home in The Livable Forest.  When you choose Marty to represent you as your agent, not only is the most trusted source in real estate transactions on your side, REMAX, but so is a progressive, forward thinking, experienced agent who will work with you to find the home of your dreams.

If you are interested in searching for a new home in Kingwood, please use our 'Search Listings' feature. If you are searching for a real estate agent to help find your families dream home, then contact Marty Landry by email here.