Avoid these 6 common buyer pitfalls.

1.) Not getting pre-approved. This is probably the single most important step. You will want to understand the financial aspect of purchasing before you step foot in any homes.

2.) Maxing out your budget. Just because you get approved for $500K doesn’t necessarily mean you should spend that much. Make sure you feel totally comfortable with your monthly mortgage payment which includes principal, interest, property taxes and home owners insurance.

3.) Not paying attention to the fine print. Your home will likely be the largest purchase of your life. Make sure you understand the process with the help of your Realtor and lender.

4.) Thinking with your heart instead of your mind. You might have dreamed of this moment for years. Make sure your decisions come from a place of logic not emotion.

5.) Not understanding the other expenses that are associated with home ownership. These might include mortgage insurance, home owners association dues, utilities, special taxes or assessments.

6.) Not protecting your credit score. If you have ever done any work on your score you know how easily it can go down and how hard it is to get it to go up. Make sure you protect that score because it can be one of the deciding factors of whether or not you qualify for a home loan.