Don’t think just about a home for the present, what will it offer for the future? Is the area under development and more homes will soon be in demand? Does the neighbourhood offer safety and a friendly atmosphere? What are the going prices for similar homes and what types of interest rates can you get right now? Is it reasonable to think you will be able to sell the home for a profit later on?
Think about where you would like to reside and look for homes in that radius. Don’t fall in love with a home that is an hour from your job and then reason you can make the commute each day. It will take a toll on your free time and it will catch up with you quickly. You want to be happy with the area where you live. Avoid buying a home in a neighbourhood where you don’t feel you fit in or you don’t feel safe. Those are factors you should never overlook when it comes to feeling great about the home you invest in. Location can influence price, so consider moving to a suburb of a main area you are looking in. As long as it offers what you want and the commute isn't too time consuming, it can help you to reduce the purchase price.
It is smart to get yourself approved for the loan before you look for a home. Knowing you can get the money for a mortgage is important. It is a huge let down if you can’t get approval for a loan, once you find a great house. You will feel that loss for a very long time. Knowing how much you can borrow and that the repayments won’t be overwhelming, can put your mind at ease. Then you can look for homes in a location you are happy with, in a price range that is reasonable for your budget. Ideally, try to avoid maxing out the loan amount. This will reduce the repayment figure each month and give you more disposable income in your budget to work with.