Steps To: Take Before Buying A Home

Number of bedrooms/bathrooms, school district, and commute time. [1]

Don’t drain your savings. You’ll need a "house emergency fund" for the inevitable leaking water heater or broken AC in month two. [1] 3. Get Pre-Approved (Not Just Pre-Qualified) steps to take before buying a home

Don't just go with your primary bank. Compare rates and fees from at least three different lenders to save thousands over the life of the loan. [6] 5. Define Your "Must-Haves" vs. "Nice-to-Haves" Number of bedrooms/bathrooms

You can change a kitchen’s backsplash, but you can’t change the lot size or the neighborhood noise level. [2] 6. Research First-Time Buyer Programs steps to take before buying a home