Expect to pay 2% to 5% of the home’s purchase price in taxes, lender fees, and inspections. 2. Get Pre-Approved

While 20% is the gold standard to avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI), many first-time programs allow as little as 3% or 3.5% down.

Avoid making any large purchases (like a new car or furniture on credit) between your pre-approval and closing day, as this can disqualify your loan at the last minute!

In most cases, the seller pays the commission, so professional representation is usually free for you. A good agent will find listings, schedule viewings, and—most importantly—handle the intense negotiations. 4. Know Your "Must-Haves" vs. "Nice-to-Haves"

A higher score gets you lower interest rates.