Buying your first home is a big deal. Don’t let yourself get carried away.
With these house hunting tips for first-time buyers, you can find a home that fits your needs and your budget—without falling in love with something you’ll regret later.
Buying a home is a huge investment. Whether you’re staying for the long haul or planning to upgrade down the line, the goal is the same: get a home that truly works for you. If you love a neighborhood but the only home available has three bedrooms (and you need four), do not settle for that. You’ll end up hating your home and wishing you had waited. Your perfect home in the perfect area will eventually show up.
Have patience and use the tips below to keep your head (and your budget) in the game.
Quick first-time house hunting checklist
- Hire an agent you trust
- Get a pre-approval letter (not just pre-qualification)
- Set your non-negotiables (and rank your top 5)
- Tour homes with a “red flags” plan
- Treat cosmetic issues as fixable (within reason)
- Get the inspection
Hire an Agent
Would you trust Dr. Google over a licensed physician with years of experience? No?
Then don’t leave the fate of your home and happiness in the hands of a search engine.
Professional real estate agents rely on hours of education and years of experience. They know the ins and outs of how to buy a home, how to negotiate a good deal,
and what to look for during tours. They also know neighborhoods, crime rates, potential red flags, and—most importantly—how to find a home that fits your goals and needs.
This is one step you cannot skip.
Simple way to make your agent even more helpful: Before you tour, share your ranked non-negotiables (see below) and your true comfort budget. That combo makes it much easier to filter homes and avoid wasting weekends on “almost right.”
Know What You Can Afford
Make sure you have your loan pre-approval letter before you start looking (not just a pre-qualification). This gives you a better idea of the amount you can spend.
This step matters so you’re not falling in love with homes outside your approved budget. (After all, you don’t want to get discouraged. Home buying should be exciting!)
But remember: just because you can spend a certain amount doesn’t mean you should.
The bank’s offer is the very most they’re willing to lend you; there are no rules that say you can’t take less.
Crunch the numbers and make a realistic estimate of what you can afford.
Think of it this way… you know that awful neon green paint in the bathroom of your dream home?
With all the extra money you’re saving by not spending the most, you’ll have enough to splurge on that Ralph Lauren paint you’ve been eyeing.
Know What’s Important (Your Non-Negotiables)
When it comes to house hunting, there are some things you can change and some things you can’t. The things you can’t change should be your non-negotiables.
Decide what your needs are and make a list of the non-negotiable things that are important to you. Here are some examples:
- Location (Location, Location!) — It’s one of the most important things to look for in a home. After all, Cento Moving has moved a lot of things, but even we can’t move a house!
- Schools — If you have kids (and don’t plan on homeschooling), you’ll want to know the quality of the education they will receive. Check the rating of schools in the area. A bad rating may be a deal breaker.
- Crime Rates — If you’re unfamiliar with the neighborhood, look up recent crime statistics to make sure you’re bringing your family into a safe environment. Remember, no area is 100% crime-free, but zip codes accustomed to serious, violent crimes might not be best for you.
- Square Footage — If you’ve determined your family needs four bedrooms, don’t settle for a house that only has three (unless you have enough saved to pay for an addition). Paying hundreds of thousands for a home that doesn’t fit your needs will leave you feeling frustrated.
- Layout — Like location, a home’s layout is pretty much set in stone. If you’ve had your heart set on a split floor plan or a certain amount of storage, don’t settle for something that doesn’t meet your needs.
- Utility Company — It’s something most people don’t consider, but think about it. You don’t always have a choice when it comes to who supplies your water and power. If they are charging an arm and a leg for dirty water, that’s something you’ll want to know beforehand.
Quick tip: Don’t just list non-negotiables—rank them. Your “top 5” will help you compare homes when everything starts to blur together.
Safety Tips for House Hunting (Before You Fall in Love)
The more homes you walk through, the more your “must haves” list will change. And while everyone’s list will be different, there are a few safety-focused checks worth doing every time.
A fast safety walkthrough during a tour
- Check cell phone service throughout the house. If coverage is spotty where you need it most, that can be a daily frustration later on. (Keep in mind, however, that there are fixes for this.)
- Map the exact address before you visit. Location, location, location—and sometimes a quick hazard check tells you what you might be signing up for. Check whether it’s in an area prone to floods, earthquakes, or sinkholes.
It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to walk away, but it may mean you’ll need additional insurance coverage—which can be expensive.
Potential Red Flags
As you tour homes, keep your eyes open. A few things are worth treating as “pause and investigate” moments:
- If the seller doesn’t let you look in a particular area of the house, that’s a huge red flag. You’re buying an entire house, not just portions of it.
- If something feels “hidden,” make a note and ask your agent about it. It’s much easier to get clarity now than after you’ve fallen in love with the place.
(And yes—some things will be personal preferences. The goal is to spot the stuff that can cost you time, money, or peace of mind.)
Know What’s NOT Important (Fixable vs. Permanent)
“Deal breakers” are things that can’t be changed. For everything else, it helps to remember you have control.
The gross paint color and ugly carpet? You can change them. Old water heater? You can have it replaced. Front yard gone to seed?
You can always throw down some sod and have it looking new again.
As you tour potential homes, don’t think of every feature as permanent. That being said, if you would need to completely remodel the entire home to feel comfortable there,
that might require more budget than you’re willing to spend. Make note of the things you would like to change, crunch the numbers, and keep an open mind.
Get the Inspection
Some home loans require a home inspection before they’ll give you the loan, some don’t. Our advice? Do not skip out on the home inspection! Homes are very expensive and it’s important to know what you’re investing in.
Spare no expense on this; quality is of the utmost importance. A home inspector’s job is to do a thorough inspection of the home, including things you’d never think to check.
A home inspector is only as good as their qualifications and experience, so don’t shop based purely on price.
Within a week of the inspection, you will receive an inspection report, which is like a snapshot of the home’s current condition.
If the report comes back with a list of potential issues, you can use this information to negotiate a lower price.
If only minor fixes are needed, you’ll be able to move forward with peace of mind.
Moving Day Comes Fast (Plan Ahead)
Once you find a home that feels right, things can move quickly. A little planning now can make moving day a lot less stressful later.
Simple “closing-to-moving-day” starter list:
- Pick a target moving window as soon as you can
- Start a running list of what’s coming with you (and what isn’t)
- Don’t forget to plan for the “first night” essentials so you’re not digging through boxes for toothbrushes
Move Easier with Cento Moving
Buying a home is an exciting time, but it’s also a huge decision—so don’t let yourself get carried away.
With these house hunting tips (and a lot of patience!), you’ll be able to find a home that fits your needs and makes you feel, well, right at home.
Before you know it, you’ll be writing the closing date on the calendar and getting ready for moving day. And when that day comes, we’d love to hear from you!
Here at Cento Moving, our goal is to treat your family as if it were our own, so that your relocation is completed with care and precision. From packing services to long-distance moves and more, you can trust Cento for all your relocation needs!
