Word of mouth

Tell all your friends that you are interested in buying a home. Someone may know of a house that has not been listed yet. They may know a house that is just right for you.

“For sale” signs

Go to a neighborhood you like. Look for “for sale” signs. If you find a house you like, call the telephone number on the sign. The telephone number will be for a real estate agency or the owner.

Newspaper ads

Read the classified ads in your newspaper. The ads will describe the house and may give an asking price. Sometimes the ads will list an open house. This means that you can go into the house and look around on a specified day and time.

Shoppers’ guides

Shoppers’ guides have pictures and descriptions of houses that are for sale. You can find these small magazines in supermarkets and at newsstands. They are usually free.

Real estate agent

A real estate agent can help you find a house. One way to find a real estate agent is by word of mouth. Ask friends if they can give you the name of someone they like and trust. Do not choose someone just because he or she speaks your native language. And remember, never sign anything you do not understand.

The agent makes a commission or a percentage of the sales price of the house. The house sellers usually pay the agent after they sell the house. Sometimes it is possible to find an agent who works for the buyer. That means the buyer will pay the agent a commission or the buyer’s agent will split the commission with the seller’s agent.