Kathy Henne is the Broker and Owner of The Kathy Henne Team, RE/MAX FINEST. Click here to view featured listings in Piqua, Troy, Tipp City, Covington and other Miami and Shelby County, Ohio communities, or visit www.KathyHenneTeam.com.

Here are some buyer tips that every homebuyer should know before they buy.

1. Be a pre-approved buyer. A pre-approved buyer always has the advantage in an offer situation. Becoming pre-approved is very easy; you complete your loan application with a credit check prior to beginning your home search process. Pre-approval means that you have actually been approved for the purchase by a lender, which gives you the edge in home purchase negotiations.

2. Beat the competition to the best new listings. The search process can be both fun and trying. You will notice that some homes sell very fast and others hang around for long periods of time. The best homes at the best prices sell quickly. Keeping on top of this is essential. Connect with an experienced, full-time real estate professional who knows the market and keeps you updated.

3. Do the research. Make yourself a "home value expert." Investigate the areas and price ranges for the kind of home you are looking for. Get a good idea of the selling price ranges of these homes. Your real estate agent is a great asset for this information.

4. Prove that you are a serious buyer. The best way to accomplish this is with earnest money. This may mean that you put down $500 to $1,000 earnest money deposit to get the seller's attention.

5. Keep your offer simple and clean. Make sure that your contract to purchase is simple, clean and not bogged down with unnecessary contingencies, furniture, and appliances the seller wasn't planning on leaving. Keep the time frames of inspections to a minimum. The cleaner your offer, the more interested the seller will become.

6. Don't wing it alone. What you need most in today's complex marketplace is an experienced, full-time real estate professional to represent your interests. No matter how heated the competition or the negotiations, an experienced real estate professional will represent your best interests, keep you from paying too much, and help you maximize your investment.

Contact an experienced, full-time real estate professional and get started today. You'll be enjoying your new home and getting the added advantage of a great investment. A real win-win result!

Kathy Henne, Broker & Owner
The Kathy Henne Team
RE/MAX FINEST
1200 Park Ave.
Piqua, Ohio 45356
Phone: 937-778-3961
Fax: 937-773-7697
Email: Kathy@kathyhenneteam.com
www.KathyHenneTeam.com