Buying a new home is an exciting experience. Perhaps the biggest purchase anyone makes in their lifetime, here are five considerations for first-time homebuyers to consider before making their final selection and jumping into homeownership. A clear picture of your financial and lifestyle goals, loan types, interest rates, the amount of a mortgage payment you can afford, and any upgrades or renovations you’ll need is key to picking the perfect home. If this is your first time buying a home, read on for things to consider.

first-home buyer, you might not be aware that there are different types of loans. FHA loans stipulate that you live in your home as your primary residence for a specific amount of time, but they can be ideal for most first-time homebuyers. For example, in the United States, first-time homebuyers can qualify for FHA loans, which means a lower down payment and helps make buying a home easier.

When considering buying a home, you’ll want to go over loan options and types of loans with a financial advisor, someone you trust, or by calling banks and lenders. Doing so will help you find a loan program that works for your situation. You can start with a Google search for ‘first-time home loans’ to understand where you’ll stand on a home loan prequalification. However, be careful about sending too many inquiries for prequalification notices. It could negatively impact your credit score, harming securing a lower interest rate on your final loan. If you need help with this process, talking to a realtor would be a great place to go. While they don’t offer loans, they work with banks daily and understand purchase price limits, closing costs, and the other things you’ll want to review with your lender.

windows in Texas to have that in mind when you negotiate your purchase price and tie it to the loan. While those new windows are sure to look fantastic in your new home, you need to know you can afford them.

costs associated with moving. For example, your monthly mortgage payment will likely be higher than your current rent. For this reason, and because you’ll be throwing most of your savings onto the down payment, you need to be sure you’ll have enough money left to cover the normal expenses of moving into a new home. From storage rentals to movers to utility hook-ups, be sure you are going yourself where you can afford that cross-country trip to your final destination.

4. Location

Many people make the mistake of underestimating the importance of location when buying a first home. Fixated on the building itself, they forget to look around town and check out the local amenities and culture. Especially if you have children or are particularly social, you’ll want to look into how the city works, the quality of schools, and whether there are houses of worship around that work for your religious beliefs and values.

5. Long-Term Goals

When buying a new home for the first time, the final thing to consider is your big-picture goals. Ask yourself how long you plan to be in your new home, whether you’ll ever want to sell, and if your chosen location will work with your overall career path. Then, consider your FHA or HUD home terms and decide if they align with your goals before signing the dotted line.

At the end of the day, with a little thinking, planning, and your eye on the overall budget, you’ll be in great shape to begin your next adventure as a homeowner! Congratulations on your next big purchase!