Any agent with real experience would say to a first time buyer, most any buyer actually,  “Ask yourself plenty of questions and find the answers.” The Home Buyer Questionnaire can be a big help in knowing what those questions might be.

Check out the community first.

Even if you can’t wait to get out of a rental that is too small or inadequate for your needs right now, the community is every bit as important as the home you buy.  It’s a great deal easier to make changes to your home than it is to make changes to your community!

Do you need public transportation? How important is walk-ability? Will the schools matter? How long will your commute be? What kinds of local services must you have? These are the sorts of things that you need to consider.

Pay attention to the surroundings.

It’s easier to change a house than to change its location and site, so sort out how you feel about the setting; do you want lots of level land, a wooded private lot, nearby neighbors or a place so remote the only sounds come from chirping birds? After you have some idea about these things, you can then you can start to focus in on the house, condo or co-op.

Decide on the non-negotiables.

Prioritize what’s most important to you because you are unlikely to find everything you’d like in your new home no matter how much time and money you’re willing to invest. Bedrooms and baths, how many? Are you prepared to do some cosmetic work or does it have to be move-in ready? What about more substantial changes; will you add that missing bath or finish a basement to get the family room you’d like? Should it be new or almost new or will an antique make your heart sing?

Look into your financial qualifications.

You need to know how much you can afford and how much a bank will lend you. It’s ok to dream about your new lifestyle but you have to be in a position to make the move. It is excruciating to fall in love with something you can’t afford.

Keep an open mind.

You may find that you need to adjust your ideas even about the non-negotiables. Your first home may not be everything that you’d like but if you come into a market that is poised to rise, you can take advantage of the coming appreciation and be in a great position to move-up down the road. If you’d find a more comprehensive list of useful questions please go the article, Home Buyer Questionnaire.