» First-Time Home Buyers:

1. Prepare Yourself Financially...

• Build your savings account for downpayment and closing costs
• Review your credit report at Myfico.com
• Gather your tax returns from past 2 years
• Shop the local banks for current interest rates:
  

  Tompkins Trust

  CFCU

  Elmira Savings Bank

  Chemung Canal Trust

• Get pre-qualified for your price range
• Consider your comfort level for mortgage payment versus what the bank will loan you
• Consult a financial advisor or mortgage banker for help with all the above
• Check First-Time Buyer Programs that may work for you:
  

  Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services	277-4500	Ann DiPetta
  USDA Rural Development	257-2737 x4	Donna Collins
  NYSAR Housing Opportunities Grants		Apply online for $2,000 grant towards closing costs
  SONYMA	1-800-382-HOME

2. Identify Your Housing Needs...

• Consider size needed now, next year, and five years from now
• Consider the resale value of a home: location, condition, amenities
• Prioritize the amenities you want by a rating scale of 1 to 10
• Plan your timeline for moving
• Prepare a list of what you absolutely NEED vs. what you WANT in a home

» Re-sale or More Experienced Buyers:

1. Prepare Yourself Financially:

• Selling your current home first?  (ask CJ about a free comparative market analysis)
• Building your savings account
• Checking the tax laws with your accountant about capital gains tax
• Here's a great website for buyers: bankrate.com which has a helpful mortgage calculator

2. Identify Your Housing Needs

• Consider minimum/maximum size needed
• Prioritize the amenities you want by a rating scale of 1 to 10
• Plan your timeline for moving - CJ can help with planning in this area

» Do Your Buyer "Due Diligence"

• New to Ithaca? Start by reading local media resources - the Ithaca Voice is one of the best in print and online
• Research Ithaca on EPodunk.com
• Demographic Information fron US Census Bureau
• GIS Maps of Tompkins County and City of Ithaca
• NYS Licensed Home Inspectors for the Ithaca Area
• American Society of Home Inspectors Website
• Learn about Home Insulation
• Learn More About Radon on the EPA Website
• Learn More About Environmental Ratings from Scorecard.org
• Great website about all things home-inspection related: InspectAPedia.com
• Toxics Targeting
• Megans Law for Parents - search for registered sex offenders in NYS