Are you getting ready to move into your first home? There are a couple of different areas that should be researched first before you do anything. Once things have been set in motion on the buy, you will need all of your spare time to work with planning the move, packing, unpacking, Realtors, the old owners and myriad little annoyances. So be sure to plan ahead in the following four areas to make your residential transition a smooth one.

What to Expect When Moving into Your First Home  

Once you decide that it is the right time for you to purchase a home, you will have little problem finding a lot of listings. So, the best advice here is to make sure you find the RIGHT one for you and your family. Be sure to ask your Realtor or real estate agent a lot of questions. In addition, be sure to research your potential neighborhood. If you have children, visit the local school and inquire about the educational programs in place. Make sure the school abides by local, state and federal guidelines as well. Contacting the local district office will afford much information on the principal and any awards/accolades earned by the staff.

Speak with your potential neighbors. Do not be afraid to knock on doors because these are the folks that will have the inside scoop as to the goings on in the neighborhood. Then, if they don't mind, pick their brains about the average costs of bills in the community. It will help you budget for the future. 

Also, research the local traffic situation. Find out how heavy the "rush hour" times are and how long your commute to work would be. Be sure to survey how close freeways and highways are. If you live in a secluded community served by a two lane highway, you may be in for a nasty surprise come the first Monday morning when you sit for longer than expected in traffic.

Next, ask about any local general aviation airports. Not many people think about this, but while these airports are important, you may inadvertently move someplace that has twenty-four hour a day air traffic. The last thing most people want is a turbojet powered aircraft screaming a thousand feet overhead at three o'clock in the morning. If there is one in the vicinity, contact the airport officials to inquire about nighttime flight operations.

Is Your Credit Up to Snuff?

Your next step is to contact the three major credit bureaus to check your credit situation. If you do this on a monthly basis, as you should, you probably already know what you are working with. If not, order them for a nominal fee and ensure that everything is correct on the report. Your FICO score is of great importance when it comes to choosing the right mortgage package for you.

The Right Mortgage

There are many lenders in the marketplace today. In fact, there are thousands of them. If you are unfamiliar with the mortgage lending process schedule an appointment with a lender and meet with your advisor in person. Make sure they have the time to spend with you and that they explain all of your options. The last thing you want is to be sold something that is not in your best interest so educate yourself with periodicals, publications, books or whatever else you can find. It will only serve to help your decision making process.

Don't Skip the Inspection!

Once you have decided upon a location and have been approved for a mortgage, it is time to move in. After arriving at the house it is time for the move-in inspection. First, check the outside features. Ensure that there are no cracks in the concrete, the driveway slopes down properly, the chimney (if you have one) is free of cracks and looks sturdy and also check out the roof. Here you are looking at the structural integrity of the home by looking for sagging in addition to any issues with roofing shingles.

On the inside, make sure you look for cracks in the flooring, ceiling and walls. Check the plumbing to ensure everything works – flush the toilets, turn on faucets, try the refrigerator water, etc. Finally, using a small electrical appliance (a hair dryer works great here) try out each electrical outlet in the house to be certain that each one works.