If you are finally thinking about investing in your first home, you may be as equally nervous as you are excited about the process. Buying a house is a huge step in life and can be intimidating to try and navigate on your own. Between knowing the markets, offering letters and signing purchase agreements, there is a lot that you should know before you buy.

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Finding the perfect home can be an exciting time, but it can also add a lot of undue stress into your life. Aside from saving for a down payment, there is planning involved that can take up a lot of your time and focus. You need to know what you are really looking for, what your budget will tolerate and how to get your search started efficiently.

Lucky for you, there have been many first time home buyers before you. There are plenty of personal resources that you can rely on, or even sign up for a home buyer course the help guide you through the process of settling into your first house. Look to the following resources for the support you need…

Your Partner & Family

It’s likely that your parents, grandparents or siblings have already gone through the process of buying a house. When you start to consider going out on your own, talk to your family about their experiences and take advantage of any professional recommendations for realtors or contractors that they have to offer. Your partner may have experience with a former home as well. Anyone who has purchased a house should be able to give you a rundown of the process basics and help you prepare for your home search with more confidence.

Online Resources

With today’s technology, you can start and finish your home search entirely online. Most real estate brokers have expansive websites that can help you with your search for a home. See the most recent listings, set your search filters to reflect your needs and even do a virtual tour of an entire home from your computer.

There are many excellent online homebuyer courses available on platforms like YouTube that can be extremely helpful in getting your search started. Review as many tutorials and “How To” articles as you can find until you feel confident in your understanding of the process.

Realtor

You don’t have to wait until you have found a house that you are interested in to contact a realtor. For first time home buyers, a good real estate agent can be a valuable resource. They are trained experts in the field and can share their knowledge of the markets as well as help guide you through the process with ease.

In most cases, your realtor will not only help you narrow down your choices but can also advise you on new neighborhoods, developing areas, nearby amenities and property taxation. You won’t have to worry about drafting any proposals, negotiating with a seller or preparing any paperwork, as your agent will look after these details for you.