Check out the area you’re interested in at all different times of the day and weekends. Go to open houses there as well. Talk to people. When you get a solid idea about it, then approach a realtor at one of the open houses about your interest in the area and ask them questions. See if their answers correlate with what you’ve seen. Start to look for comparable prices in the area for what kind of house you’re interested in.
Depending on someone else who makes money from the transaction of your purchase for information that’s critical to your future is not a good idea in any market. Least of all this one. So ask several of them the same questions and see what their answers are. These are just a few of the things that will help you get a better handle on the process. Also, start to investigate mortgage brokers and the various funding options available. This step is critical unless you’ve got all cash.
