THINGS I WISH MY KIDS WOULD ASK ME

Editor's note: Barry Courter has a 24-year-old son who is a college graduate and a 19-year-old daughter who is a sophomore in college.

Q: Dad, I might begin the process of buying a house in the next year or so; what do I need to know or do?

A: You can visit a bank or lending agent to see how much you qualify for when it comes to a mortgage amount. If it's not as high as you want, they can tell you what you need to do to get where you want to be mortgage-wise. You should also start making lists of things you want, or don't want, in a house. Do you want old or new; do you want a fixer-upper or one that is move-in ready? Do you want a big yard or no yard or a fenced-in yard for a dog? Do you want to be close to work or downtown; do you see this as your first of many houses or the last one you hope to buy? There are lots of other things to think about, but those are a few. Also, remember there is no such thing as perfect. It's all about trade-offs.

- Barry Courter