1. Make sure you underbuy. Do not be house-poor. Remember, loan officers/mortgage originators work on commission so they want to sell you the biggest loan possible. After your friends "ooh and aah" over your new home, you will be left with the mortgage payment for up to 30 years.

2. You need to make any offer to buy the home contingent upon a favorable home inspection. Too many people buy homes without inspections - feeling pressured to make the offer without any contingencies out of fear another couple will get the home. Used homes are used. They come with problems and needs. Know what foreseeable fixes you need to invest into the home within the first few years of ownership. The biggies are the Roof, The Furnace and AC, the Water Heater and leakage or seepage of water into the basement -requiring sump-pump and drain tile. This is super-expensive. Tens of Thousands Of Dollars.

3. Have the Sellers or your or their Realtor buy you a "homeowners one year warranty policy". This is a Maintenace plan that will fix or replace major appliances and the HVAC (Furnace/AC) and water heater the first year you live in the home. These policies do not require inspections and cost about $600-$900.00. This helps ensure there will be no major unforeseen repair and replace costs in the first year of ownership. Ask your Realtor about this before the purchase agreement is signed.

4. Once the purchase agreement is signed, you bought the home. There is NO cooling off period or time where you can renig or c ancel. Only if you have a contingency such as a home inspection, can you back out. Make sure the purchase agreement is contingent upon you getting the mortgage!

5. Finally, make sure you put in writing all things you believe should come with the home. We have seen countless lawsuits over swing sets (i.e. Rainbow), cabinets in the garage, fancy light fixtures, etc. Putting down what is to come with the home prevents the Sellers from swapping out cheaper stuff or simply taking the wonderful swing set you believed came with the home

6. See an attorney BEFORE you sign the purchase agreement. Realtors can not give legal advice. Attorneys can modify the purchase agreement to give you maximum protection. Buying a home is a massive investment. You need to make sure all warranties and representations are enforceable and "survive" the closing. See an attorney before you sign. Homeownership is wonderful so do it. Just know before you go.