House hunting can be a very stressful task, especially if you are unsure of what you are looking for. The first step is to figure out what you qualify for (if you are not planning on paying cash for the transaction), the second step is to simply shop around.
To gain a better understanding of what you are looking for view as many homes as possible within your price range. There are many great homes out there for a great price, especially here in Shasta County. Have your agent show you homes or check your local newspaper for open houses and attend those 
on your own. By viewing homes you will gain a better understanding of what you are looking for.
When viewing homes bring along paper and pen. While walking through the homes take notes on what you like the most about that home, what was simply ok but livable, and what you disliked. Later on when you go over those notes you will start to get the picture of the certain features you are looking for in your home.
It is important to remember that no piece of real estate is perfect and no two are exactly the same. Do not be overly picky, but do focus on the one feature you find the most desirable and important to you and go from there. This will also make it easier for your agent to find homes to show you.
The most important thing to remember when viewing homes is simply feel. How do you feel upon first walking through the door? Can you see yourself living here comfortably for the next several years? If you are able to answer those two questions with an affirmative then it may be possible – just possible – that you have found the home you are looking for.
Prices are down here in Shasta County and so are interest rates, if you are looking to buy a home this is the time to do it. There are some great homes out there that are available at a good price, and they are not lasting very long on the market. On a majority of the homes listed for under $200,000 it at times has been a bidding war, and we have seen properties go for mare than what they are listed for.
First time home buyers, now is the time to move. Go out and get you pre-qualification or pre-approval done with the lender of your choice. If you
go and do that first you will be able to figure out how much money you may have to bring into the transaction and be able to figure out how much home you are going to be able to afford.
Also figure out what area you want to live in and start to look there, if you don’t find what you are looking for expand the area you want to look. And the most important thing is to just go out there and view homes, even attend Open Houses if necessary, to get the feel of what you are looking for. That way when you come across that “certain” home there will be no question as to whether or not this home is made for you.
The best way to decide what you are looking for in your first home is to write it down on a list. Sit down and discuss with your partner esactly what you guys are looking for, what is important, what is not important, and what would be a nice feature but you don’t have to have. When you then view homes keep that list in mind, or refer to it with each home.
Now, if it comes down to more that one home compare those homes to each other and that little list you carry around in your pocket. Compare and contrast, even work out a special numbering system. If worse comes to worse go back and view those homes again. Your agent should be more than willing to take you back to those homes as many times as necessary to help you make your decision.
So good luck and good hunting.
Everyone tries to keep up with all of the new technology coming out these days, even here in Shasta County. Options are important in your new home, add the following questions to your buyer’s checklist.
1. Are there enough jacks in every room for cable TV and high-speed Internet hookups?
2. Are there enough telephone extentions or jacks?
3. Is the home prewired for home theater or multi-room audio and video?
4. Does the home have a local area network for linking computers?
5. Does the home already have wiring for DSL, or other high0-speed Internet connections?
6. Does the home have multizoning heating and cooling controls with programmable thermostats?
7. Does the homes have multiroom lighting controls, window-covering controls, or other home automatic features?
8. Is the home wired with mulitpurpose in-wall wiring that allows for reconfigurations to update services as technology changes?
Here in Shasta County there is a wide variety of homes available for sale. While your opinions on the type of home you want to own may change during the home buying process, use this easy checklist to help you set your priorities and make the shopping process less time consuming.
What neighborhoods would you prefer?
What school systems do you want to be near?
How close do you need to be to: (a) public transportation, (b) schools, (c) airport, (d) expressway, (e) neighborhood shopping, (f) other
What architectural style(s) of homes do you prefer?
Do you want a one story or two-story house?
How old of a home would you consider?
How much repair or renovation would you be willing to do?
Do you have special facilities or needs that your home must meet?
Do you require a fenced yard or other amenities for your pets?
Create a table and prioritize each of the following into must have or would prefer:
Yard (at least______); garage (size_______); patio/deck; pool; bedrooms (number______); bathrooms (number______); family room; formal living room, formal dining room; eat-in kitchen; laundry room; basement; attic; fireplace; spa in bathroom; air conditioning; wall-to-wall carpet; hardwood or laminate flooring; view; light (windows); shade.
The neighborhood you choose in either the Anderson or Cottonwood area, can have a big impact on your lifestyle — safety, available amenities, and convenience all play their part.
Make a list of the activities you engage in regularly and stores you visit frequently. See how far you would have to travel from each neighborhood you’re considering to engage in your most common activities.
Check out the school district. The Department of Education in your town can probably provide information on test scores, class size, percentage of students who attend college, and special enrichment programs. Even if you don’t have children, a house in a good school district will be easier to sell in the future.
Find out if the neighborhood is safe. Ask the police department for neighborhood crime statistics. Consider not only the number of crimes but also the type, and the trend of increasing or decreasing crime.
Determine if the neighborhood is economically stable. Check with your local city economic development office to see if income and property values in the neighborhood are stable or rising.
See if you’ll make money. Ask a local Real Estate Agent or call the Shasta County Board of Realtors office to get information about price appreciation trends in the neighborhood. Although past performance is no guarantee of future results, this information may give you a sense of how good an investment your home will be. A Real Estate Agent or the government planning agency may also be able to tell you about planned development or other changes in the neighborhood the might affect value.
Once you have narrowed your focus to two or three neighborhoods. go there and walk around. Are homes tidy and well maintained? Are streets quiet? Pick a warm day if you can and chat with people working or playing outside.
