We all know there are a lot of important decisions and actions involved in buying and one can never have too many suggestions to help them out. Here is a list to guide you down your buying path.

1.  Your credit can never be too good. If you are thinking of buying, immediately check on your credit and if it needs repair. Make sure to get this done ASAP.

2.  What goes hand in hand with credit? Pre-approval: this is a statement from a lender regarding your ability to pay a loan (based on credit, income, and other finance history). This is important, you are not considered valid if you do not have or are not working on this.

3.  With the current state of market, flipping or moving a lot is not recommended. Think long and hard before moving; are you staying for at least a few years?

4.  Don’t walk with your head in the clouds. Can you afford the homes you are looking at? The general rule is to buy a house that is around 2.5 times your annual salary.

5.  Money down: right now you definitely have to put some money down when buying, but the question is how much? It once was about 3%, but now it can range as high as 20% depending on if you are using a public or private lender, and your individual buying situation.

6.  Mortgage selection: High interest, low interest, five years, ten years, point system? Do your homework.

If you head is spinning after all these tips that seem to deal with numbers, math, calculations (headaches), then here is the best tip of all:  Use a realtor, this is their job! They are the best at their professions and they can save you time, money, and aspirin. Also, they want to get paid and they know the only way to do this is to find you something you like, that you can afford. Their end goal is for you to buy, and isn’t that your goal as well?