Shopping for a new home is a very exciting process that can quickly become overwhelming and stressful. For this, and many other reasons, it’s important to prepare yourself for the many steps involved in shopping for a new home. Knowing what to look for in a home is half the battle! These do’s and don’ts of shopping for a new home will equip you with the knowledge you need to make the experience one that is less stressful and more successful!

• Do check your credit score. This will help you figure out if you will be able to take out a mortgage and set a price range for potential homes. This makes the process easier for your real estate agent pick out homes within your budget, and gives you a better idea of what kind of homes you can afford when looking online. Be prepared to be flexible with your budget, just in case you find your dream home that is slightly over your price range. With enough planning, you may be able to afford it.
• Don’t consider a home based on the way it looks currently. Chances are some the homes you are looking at will be staged for open houses. If the home is currently occupied, it’s probably filled with furnishings that the current owners installed. You don’t want to have your heart set on a beautiful home only to find that it doesn’t appeal to you as much because it’s lacking the original decor. It’s important to try and picture the space with your belongings, instead of what’s already in there. Consider if your king-size bed will fit into the master bedroom, or if your desk will fit into the room you’re hoping to turn into an office. These considerations prior to purchasing a home can make life a lot easier when moving day comes around.
• Do make a must-have list. Dee Frazier, an interior designer in Frisco, TX recommends creating a must-have list so that you can better prepare for interior decorations! This list should contain all of the things that are absolutely necessary to turn the house into your dream home. For example, some people prefer more bedrooms if they’re planning on having children or frequent guests. Some people require the master bedroom have many components, like a walk-in closet and sitting area. No matter what your wants or desires, make a list of them, and find a house that caters to that list. Having the right home to work with will make creating your interior design dreams a reality.
• Don’t settle on the first house you find. It’s important to shop around to make sure you’re getting a home that’s right for you and your budget. If you’re purchasing the house with a partner, talk with them consistently to ensure that both of your needs are met. Working closely with your realtor, you’ll be able to find a house that is perfect for you.
• Do research neighborhoods to find the best fit for you.  Before you go out to see a home, you’ll want to take into consideration the school district it’s located in, as well as other factors like it’s distance from stores and other places that are a staple for your lifestyle, like gyms or shopping malls. By researching the location and neighborhood, you can narrow down your home search, making the house-hunting process easier.
• Don’t bother with major fixer-uppers. Many people are inspired by television to invest their time and money into fixer-upper homes, and instead end up throwing all of their money away and never actually enjoying the home. Consider the money you would  spend fixing up a home, and how that could easily be put towards buying a nicer and slightly more expensive home that requires less work. If you have your heart set on a specific place that needs a lot of TLC, be prepared to put in a lot of time, effort, and money to get your home to the way you want it.

Find the perfect house to turn your into your dream home with these shopping tips!