Buying a home is stressful, even if you have experience with purchasing property. That’s why we’ve put together this list of 5 ways to keep your cool on the house hunt:

1) Outline Your Wants and Needs

What you want and what you need will dictate how you search for one. Writing them will help you form the starting point for your search. Plus, you will have more information for a Realtor to work with.

2) Flexibility is Important

No house is going to be perfect out of the gate unless you’re building it or have the cash for renovations. Don’t compromise on what you need, but be prepared to make some trade-offs.

3) Budgeting is Your Friend

It’s not just your buying price. How much are you putting down on the home? Are you willing to make repairs on the home? Can you cover real estate taxes? A good realtor can give you solid advice in this area.

4) Lean on Your Realtor

Realtors know the industry – take advantage of that. They’re there to help you during your search, so don’t be afraid to lean on them for help.

5) Get Pre-Qualified

Pre-qualification gives you the flexibility to jump on offers as they appear. You don’t want to make an offer, only to find out you can’t qualify for financing. Plus, your realtor will thank you.

Ready to buy? Head over here to see how much home you can afford.