Before buying a home, you need to wrestle with these two things: your budget and your non-negotiable list.
Your budget: Sit down with a reputable bank or mortgage lender to get pre-approved. Plus, a pre-approval letter will strengthen your offers.
Your non-negotiables: These are your “must-haves” in a new home. Need to stay in the same school district? Need a fenced yard for the dog or a guest room for grandma? Keep this list short, but clear. You may need to reference it when the emotions of buying ramp up.