So you are going to start the hunting stage of homes for sale and buying process of real estate properties. You have to remember that home buying is such a critical financial process to undergo and careless actions might lead to regrets, particularly in the long run. You always have to be prepared with everything that will come along during the process. If this is your first time in the real estate industry, you have to be knowledgeable on the ways you can protect yourself. The real estate industry can be selfish most of the time, always just wanting for you to put out money from your pocket to buy a house. Below are some of the most essential things you need not forget to do when you start the home buying procedures.

Do the home inspection
You need to fully understand the condition of the house and you can successfully achieve that if you hire a home inspector who will check and overlook the house thoroughly. Home defects you and the inspector will find have a great effect on the market value of the property, and it can also cost you a lot, if you do not detect them as early as needed. Plumbing and HVAC systems are just two of the main aspects in a house that will cost you a big amount of money if major repairs are needed. The foundation is also a crucial area in a house that should be examined very completely. Make sure to hire an independent contractor, one that is not affiliated with the realty company handling the property you are eyeing to purchase. You should make sure that the inspector is loyal and works only for your sake.

Check the utility bills
This action may sound useless but it does have some advantages. It can be beneficial for you to review the utility bills for the past six months or year and see if there are irregularities and huge sudden changes in the amount of the bills. These can serve as clues as to whether there are major flaws in the plumbing, electrical system and other utility systems that show in the past bill expenses.

Do the title search.
This very significant stage in home buying that is also often neglected by real estate builders and agents is usually done during the closing day. Looking for the title and checking it will make sure that there are no potential legal problems such as construction and tax liens to encounter in the future.

Ask for the recent sales data.
Reviewing the closing prices of homes previously sold in the neighborhood you want will give you an idea of the market value of the specific property you want. This is public information and you can easily get it from the city or municipality office of tax records. You can get the average market value of properties in the area where you want to purchase your home and then see if the selling price of the property is reasonable enough.