Amanda Bodson, your local Edmonton Realtor

When purchasing a home, you are faced with a multitude of decisions! The primary one is whether you are actually prepared to purchase a home. Locating the perfect home is not always an easy task, and obtaining a mortgage loan can be a complex and tiring process. Although, once you have determined that you are ready to move forward with the required effort towards your home-purchasing goal, the rewards are unquestionable.

While at your side each step of the way, I will make the process of purchasing a home easier, more enjoyable, less time-consuming, and less expensive than if you undertook this challenge on your own. I will help you prepare, locate and assess properties for sale that match your specifications, and help you through the myriad of details attending the actual purchase.

I am always familiar with the current homes on the market, in th greater Edmonton area including Redwater, Bruderheim, Gibbons, Bon Accord, Lamont, Fort Saskatchewan, Morinville, Rural Sturgeon, Lamont and Strathcona Counties, and I know neighborhood values well, so I can help you determine which properties are fairly-priced and in good condition before you start your search.

Your first step to buying a home is to first ask yourself why you want to buy a home: to stop paying rent? To start building equity? To have a place of your own? To raise a family? To entertain business associates? To move up to a bigger house? Next, list what kind of home you'd like and where you would like to be. Be specific. Separate the "must haves" from the "want to haves."

Think of yourself as zeroing in on a target, going from the general to the specific. Consider area (town/city or rural area); community (north, south, east, or west side); neighborhood (older and settled or sparkling new; a particular school zone; recreational facilities; and other community services such as transportation, day care, library, stores, entertainment). Ask yourself how many minutes you are willing to commute to work. Especially in consideration of all trade and plant workers - as the number of vehicles on our roads will surely cause a great deal of stress to your commute everyday! And this is my job - to find you a home well within your comfortable commute radius.

Think about home styles. How much space do you need? Does your situation require a one-level home, or are stairs acceptable? Consider size and kind of property. Do you want a newer home, or maybe an older one to fix up? Someday you or your heirs will want to sell. Consider how long you expect to live in this particular home.

Once you have addressed the above needs, your next step in the purchasing process is to get pre-qualified with a mortgage company. This can be done over the phone or even online in a matter of minutes.

One of my most preferred mortgage specialists that my clients have been most impressed with, and whom has helped so many of my clients that were experiencing major financial difficulties, is Renee Butt from TD Canada Trust. Her direct line (cell number) is #780-266-5555. Fax #780-922-5505 and to view her website and send her a private email please visit: http://www.tdcanadatrust.com/msf/reneebutt.

Once you've been pre-qualified and know what price range you want to stay in, my experienced team can help you determine which properties fit your needs by using the (MLS) Multiple Listing Service system to locate them. When dealing with me you get the expertise of all 4 of us instead of just one!