If you've lived in an apartment in recent years, the decision to purchase your first single-family home is a major financial decision and a milestone on the road of life. There are, of course, a variety of different things to consider, and it's understandable if you feel a little overwhelmed. If you'd like to ensure that you make the right decisions when it comes to your new home, here are some important tips to keep in mind.

You Have More Expenses Than Just the Mortgage

When you rent an apartment, it's likely that your rent is the only actual payment you need to worry about. Perhaps there are a few utilities you also pay for, but renting an apartment is pretty straightforward and there aren't a lot of other hidden costs involved. This isn't always true when you own your own home. First, you'll have to make sure you have homeowners' insurance, and that could add significant expense depending on what you want covered. There's also the fact that you will now owe property taxes every year on your new house. You also may have not needed to handle any repairs in your apartment because your landlord did that for you, but now putting money aside for maintenance on your new house is a good idea.

You Can Finally Spread Your Wings with Some Additional Space But What Does That Look Like?

The typical apartment has a living area, a kitchen, a bathroom, and any number of bedrooms. But when you buy a single-family house, there may be quite a few additional rooms, and it can help to go into the house-hunting process with a list of what it is you want out of your new home. Do you want a dedicated office space? Do you want a den so you can start building out a library? Do you own multiple cars and you want an extra-large attached garage? Your real estate agent may be able to assist or your home builder can work with you to create exactly what you want.

You Can't Do Anything Without the Loan

Unless you are fortunate enough to be able to pay cash, you are likely going to be applying for a loan to help you secure your first home. If possible, attempt to secure this loan before you start looking. If it's currently a seller's market, the seller might eliminate potential buyers if they are not pre-qualified. 

Contact a company that assists with homes for sale for more information. 

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