Information for First Time Home Buyers First time home buyers might feel better to know that they're not the only ones who feel confused about the process of buying a home. Nearly all home buyers feel the same way, even if they've bought a house in the past, because it's easy to forget the home buying steps you took to get there once the event is behind you. Before you begin, get educated about the home buying customs where you live. Relatives or friends who live in another state might have some good general advice for you, but chances are the process is very different in their area, so avoid the mistake of relying solely on their advice to make important decisions.  Also review the following tips and mistakes and the process will be a much smoother one: Tips for First-Time Homebuyers
	Be picky, but don't be unrealistic. There is no perfect home.
	Do your homework before you start looking. Decide specifically what features you want in a home and which are most important to you.
	Get your finances in order. Review your credit report and be sure you have enough money to cover your downpayment and your closing costs
	Don't wait to get a loan. Talk to a lender and get prequalified for a mortgage before you start looking.
	Don't ask too many people for opinions. It will drive you crazy. Select one or two people to turn to if you feel you need a second opinion.
	Decide when you could move. When is your lease up? Are you allowed to sublet? How tight is the rental market in your area?
	Think long-term. Are you looking for a starter house with the idea of moving up in a few years or do you hope to stay in this home longer? This decision may dictate what type of home you'll buy as well as type of mortgage terms that suit you best.
	Don't let yourself be house poor. If you max yourself out to buy the biggest home you can afford, you'll have no money left for maintenance or decoration or to save money for other financial goals.
	Don't be naïve. Insist on a home inspection and if possible get a warranty from the seller to cover defects within one year.
	Get help. Consider hiring a real estate agemt as a buyer's representative. Unlike a listing agent, whose first duty is to the seller, a buyer's representative is working only for you. And often, buyer's reps are paid out of the seller's commission payment.
	Common First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes
	They don't ask enough questions of their lender and miss out on the best deal.
	They don't act quickly enough to make a decision and someone else buys the house.
	They don't find the right agent whose willing to help them through the homebuying process.
	They don't do enough to make their offer look good to a seller.
	They don't think about resale before they buy. The average first-time buyer only stays in a home for four years.