Buying a house gets easier with practice. There’s a lot to think about when shopping for your own home – from credit scores, downpayment options and monthly budgets to school districts, local entertainment venues and community lifestyle.

For those navigating the process for the first time, it can be intimidating or even a little overwhelming. Following these simple tips will help first time home buyers avoid many of the most common headache-inducing missteps.

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  Set your budget before you do ANYTHING else.

  
  

  Don’t start shopping until you know your budget. Looking at homes online is fun, but you risk setting your heart on something you simply can’t afford. It’s best to start the home buying process with a knowledgeable and experienced lending team like the Boles Group at Bay Equity Home Loans. Your Boles Group loan officer will review your situation as well as your short- and long-term goals and help you set a reasonable price range in which to search.

  
  


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  Hire a Realtor you trust.

  
  

  A home is most likely going to be the biggest purchase of your life and has a huge impact on your financial future. This is not the type of transaction you hire your hairdresser’s cousin’s best friend to handle. If you don’t know a well-respected realtor with exceptional market knowledge and 5-star customer service, ask your lender for a recommendation. Lenders work closely with realtors and will have the inside scoop on most of the local realtors in the markets they serve.

  
  


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  Listen to your Realtor.

  
  

  If you’ve hired a good realtor, there’s no reason not to trust their advice. Be honest with your realtor about your goals, your wish list and your must-haves. The better your Realtor knows you, understands your motives and relates to your situation, the better equipped they will be to help you find a home that meets your needs and your budget.

  
  


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  Spend time figuring out which features you MUST HAVE.

  
  

  If you are buying a home in central Arizona you are probably going to WANT a pool, but you MUST HAVE air conditioning. Be realistic when creating your must-have list and you can save time by eliminating all homes that don’t fit your criteria.

  
  


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  Be realistic about your DIY abilities.

  
  

  HGTV makes it look easy, but home improvement projects often require specialized skill, time and a lot of patience. If you don’t have all three, you could end up paying a contractor to do the work for you. If you have the skills required and are willing to make repairs or DIY upgrades, make sure your realtor knows about it.

  
  


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  Be mindful of the eventual resale.

  
  

  Your first home is not likely to be your last home. Keeping your long-term goals in mind when shopping for your starter home will help ensure you are setting yourself up for success. Your lender may recommend different loan products based on the amount of time you plan to stay in the home and your realtor can educate you on the types of things that might impact resale value.

  
  


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  Leave space in your monthly budget for maintenance and repairs.

  
  

  Homeowners are solely responsible for repairs to the home, the yard and any other structures on the property. Make sure your monthly budget has enough room to accommodate occasional home maintenance or repair expenses.

  
  

Buying your first home is a big deal, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Call 480-279-0032 to speak with a Boles Group lending professional who can help you sort it all out.

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Bay Equity Home Loans – Boles Group is a team of lending professionals located in Gilbert, Arizona and licensed to originate home loans for purchase or refinance in 11 states (AZ, CA, CO, Fl, GA, ID, MN, NM, NV, OR, WA). Boles Group lending professionals have the knowledge and experience to create solutions where other lenders create problems. The team prides itself on responsive, accurate communication and is highly regarded by clients and business associates alike.