Are you looking to purchase a home soon? First off, congratulations on this major life moment! The feeling of living in a space that is truly yours is nearly impossible to best. There are many steps that go into finding the home you desire, moving in, and transforming it into the space that feels right for you. Before we even start those exciting steps, there are a few important things we need to be aware of for the smoothest home-buying experience. Here are some things to consider. 

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Budget

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It’s important to be realistic with our budget while having fun searching for our dream home. The 28% rule is one of the most followed philosophies when it comes to home spending. It states that your monthly spending on your home mortgage, insurance, and taxes should all be no more than 28 percent of your monthly income. It is also helpful to write out your full budget so that you can more realistically see your money left over after other monthly expenses like utilities, groceries, and entertainment. 

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Credit Score 

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There are some things in life that we can’t always see, but they feel like a guiding force in our daily activities. Our credit score is one of the things that many people think about while trying to get by. It plays a role in every major financial decision, especially buying a home. Knowing your credit score - and improving it as you can beforehand - is a great preliminary step to home owning. 

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Local Markets

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How familiar are you with the area you are moving to? Take time to become more educated on the surrounding market values and how fast it looks like homes are being bought in the area. You can also look more into key factors that mean the most to you like local school systems, restaurants and grocery stores, commute time, and parks. This is going to be your hometown community - enjoy getting to know it. 

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Home Style

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Don’t get so lost in the finances and markets that you forget the most important part of finding your perfect home - the home itself! Details like yard space, garages, kitchen style, and amount of bedrooms and bathrooms go a long way in ensuring that you fall in love with your long-term home. 

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Realtor

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You may know the perfect home for you, but there are trusted professionals who know the proper procedures to acquire it. Contracts, percentages paid, and other important but often wordy aspects of buying a home become a lot less stressful when you have the right team around you. 

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Take control of your life and find the perfect home by taking action with these 5 steps. The perfect blend of financial knowledge, realty help, and personal taste will ensure that you find the home you love. 

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Cover image from RODNAE Productions

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