As a first-time homebuyer, it can be easy to make some classic mistakes —

The good news is that you don’t have to fall victim to these. Here are 10 of the most common errors first-time buyers make and how you can easily avoid them:
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It can be tempting to start shopping for your first home on Zillow or Trulia right away. But if you don’t have a budget in place, you could end up looking at houses way out of your price range.

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1. Not knowing what’s on your credit report

When evaluating your application for a mortgage, lenders look at more than just your credit score.

They also review your credit report to determine what interest rate you’ll receive on a mortgage. If you have errors on your credit report, you could be stuck paying a higher interest rate than you really deserve.

Instead: Review your credit report once a year and dispute any errors that might appear. You can access your credit report for free from AnnualCreditReport.com.

2. Not setting a budget

It can be tempting to start shopping for your first home on Zillow or Trulia right away. But if you don’t have a budget in place, you could end up looking at houses way out of your price range. That can make homes you can afford look disappointing as a result, spoiling your home search.

Instead: Carefully review your finances and set a budget so you can get a feel for how much house you can afford.

Fidelity recommends the following guidelines:

• If you are debt-free, you can consider houses that are up to five times your total household income.
• If less than 20% of your income goes to pay down debt, shop for a home that is no more than four times your income.
• If more than 20% of your monthly income goes to pay down existing debts in the household, shop for houses that are three times your income.

3. Not saving for a down payment

There are mortgage programs that allow you to put down very little money; there are even 0% down mortgages available.

While these programs can make homeownership a more achievable goal, putting down such a low down payment can be costly, leading to more expensive monthly payments.

Instead: A typical down payment is 20%, but set aside a down payment that makes sense for you. With more money down, you’ll have smaller monthly payments and build equity faster.

4. Skipping a pre-approval

When you’re shopping for a home, not getting prequalified for a mortgage is a common error.

A pre-approval is a letter from a lender that shows you’re approved for a mortgage loan for a certain amount. Without one, sellers might not take your offer seriously, since there’s no proof you can actually afford the home. That can put you at a significant disadvantage when you find the perfect house.

5. Getting just one rate quote

Some homebuyers only look at one rate quote when shopping for a mortgage, and that’s a costly mistake. If you don’t shop around, you could end up with a much higher interest rate, costing you thousands more over the length of your mortgage.

Instead: Shop around and get rate quotes from several different lenders to ensure you get the lowest mortgage rates. The best way to do this is to get a quote that uses a soft credit pull, not a hard credit check. This will protect your credit score.

6. Ignoring programs like FHA, USDA, and VA loans

If you can only afford a small down payment, getting a traditional mortgage can be difficult. Look into programs like FHA loans, USDA loans, and VA loans, so you don’t have to delay buying a home to save a large enough down payment.

Instead: Explore down payment assistance programs like FHA, VA, and USDA loans. If eligible, you can buy a home with a much smaller down payment, making homeownership possible sooner.

7. Forgetting about first-time homebuyer programs

As a first-time homebuyer, you likely don’t have a ton of money in the bank for a down payment and closing costs. If you don’t take advantage of first-time homebuyer programs, you might have to put off your home search.

Instead: Explore state-run loan programs for first-time homebuyers in your area. Depending on the program, you could qualify for a low-interest mortgage with just a small down payment. You could even get help with closing costs.

8. Emptying your bank account

If you find the perfect home, but are short on cash, it might be tempting to raid your emergency fund or borrow from your 401(k) to get the money you need. However, doing so is incredibly risky, leaving you with little money to handle unexpected expenses and hurting your retirement fund.

Instead: Don’t tap into your emergency fund or retirement savings to buy a home. Focus on saving money in a separate account from your emergency fund. It might take several years to save enough money, but once you’ve done it, you’ll have greater peace of mind.

9. Applying for a loan or credit card before you close

After your offer is approved, it can take several weeks until you reach your closing date. It might be tempting to open up a new credit card or take out a personal loan to pay for expenses like moving costs or new home appliances, but doing so can cost you.

Mortgage lenders want to see that your credit is stable; any new credit accounts you open could change the terms of your mortgage, resulting in a higher interest rate or more fees.

Instead: Wait until after your mortgage closing to open up any new credit accounts. In the meantime, make all of your bill payments on-time to maintain good credit.

It’s also a good idea to have at least two months of housing payments in your bank account and ensure you have the same, steady income.

10. Underestimating homeownership costs

Buying a home is expensive, but your mortgage payment is only part of the picture. You’ll also have to pay homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance, property taxes, utility bills, homeowners association fees, and maintenance costs. Neglecting to account for these expenses could leave you struggling to make ends meet.

Instead: Talk to your real estate agent about what property taxes to expect and how much utility bills cost. Set aside money for home repairs and maintenance costs so that you have a financial cushion if unexpected expenses pop up.

It’s also a good idea to request a home inspection before closing, so you know how much certain expenses or repairs are going to cost. The seller might even pay for certain expenses or offer to split the cost if you ask.

Buying your first home

Shopping for a house as a first-time homebuyer can be overwhelming. However, by doing your homework and understanding these common mistakes, you can take out a home loan like a seasoned veteran and save money during the home buying process.