You should always get pre-approved for a mortgage loan. Inexperienced home buyers often mistake pre-qualification with per-approval. Pre-qualification simply means that you are qualified to get a loan. With pre-approval, you’ll already be approved for a loan up to a certain amount and at a certain interest rate.

Many buyers make the mistake of holding out for the perfect home. They will pass up home after home and eventually get tired of looking and settle for a home they’re not really happy with. You shouldn’t expect a home to meet all of your requirements, set a realistic goal of the most important things you’re looking for.

Never skip a home inspection to save money or because you’re in too much of a hurry. A home might look great on the surface, but once you move in there may be more needed repairs than you can afford. First impressions can be very deceiving. You can’t see bad plumbing, leaky roofs or cracking foundations just by walking through a house.