Steps To Take Before Buying A Home -

Typically 2%–5% of the home’s purchase price. [5]

Don’t drain your savings. You’ll need a "house emergency fund" for the inevitable leaking water heater or broken AC in month two. [1] 3. Get Pre-Approved (Not Just Pre-Qualified) steps to take before buying a home

Before you get emotional at an open house, list your non-negotiables: Typically 2%–5% of the home’s purchase price

Number of bedrooms/bathrooms, school district, and commute time. [1] list your non-negotiables: Number of bedrooms/bathrooms

You can change a kitchen’s backsplash, but you can’t change the lot size or the neighborhood noise level. [2] 6. Research First-Time Buyer Programs

Your score determines your mortgage interest rate. If it’s low, spend 6–12 months paying down debt to boost it before applying. [2, 3]