When it’s time to look for a new home, whether you’ve owned before or it will be your first time, you should know how to proceed. This process can be overwhelming for many. Here are five tips to help you find the right home for you.

Start with the Finances

You can take a large amount of stress out of the home searching process if you handle the finances first. Many experts say you shouldn’t spend more than about 28% of your income on housing. By using mortgage calculators online, you can calculate what the payment amount will be, along with how much down payment you will need. This can help to give you an idea of how much money you can spend on a home.

Don’t Rush the Process

It’s not a good idea to choose the first home you see and just be done with the search. Even if the first home seems perfect and you do ultimately settle for the first home, look at others just to be sure you’re making the right decision.

Expect it to take Longer

Giving yourself enough time to deal with the finances, hire an agent and tour plenty of homes will help you get to the finish line. However, if you try to rush this process and you expect it to happen overnight, you may be very disappointed and stressed.

Consider Resale, While Touring

Even if you don’t see yourself moving for a very long time, it’s important to consider the resale of your home. Things happen and you never know when you might need to leave for a new city or move to a new part of the area you’re currently in. Make sure you consider the ease and ability of resale, while you’re touring the homes.

Enjoy the Search

As you search for a new home, take your time and enjoy it. This should be very fun and you don’t want to miss out on the fun of finding your new home. You may not get to search for a home again for many years. Make sure you take it all in and enjoy the process.

Use these tips to help you find the right home for your specific need. Make sure you know what you can afford and enjoy the process as you tour homes in search for your dream house.