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 Finding the Right Home 

Buying your first home is an exciting and challenging time in your life. There is so much to consider and research to do, that shopping for and finding the right house may seem like the most fun part. And it can be! But, there are important things that you need to keep in mind when looking at a future property. If you're not careful, you may end up in a situation where you are over-leveraged financially or have bought a house that really doesn't suit your needs. Therefore, it's important to consider the following items. It's best to start fully "zoomed-out". In other words, first consider in what area you want to live. Begin by looking at the county in which you want to buy a home. Find out what the state and local taxes are. The neighborhood that the home is in is an important consideration.

The average homeowner in America only stays in their home for 5-7 years. Therefore, it's important to consider that once you begin to live in a home, you may want to move. The resale value of your house can be a key component in determining where you want to buy. Keeping that in mind, it's good to look at areas that have the ability to grow in the next few years. A good indicator of that is by looking at homes that are just outside of booming areas. Within 3-5 years, most likely those homes will be increasing in value, and you will gain equity in your home. When trying to determine how long it could take to sell your house, just ask your real estate agent how long "for sale" houses have been on the market in the area.

If it has taken awhile, find out if it's because the market is slow, or if there is some problem in the area. If you see a number of residents remodeling their homes, or selling their house to buy a bigger house in the neighborhood, that is a good sign that you will have an easier time reselling.

It's also a good idea to check with the local government and make sure they aren't planning any major new roadways or shopping malls in your area as that may affect the area in which you would like to buy. Finally, drive around the entire area; don't drive the same route every time, as you may be missing a major obstacle that would prevent you from buying a house in that area.