Buying a new home is exciting and it will certainly be one of the biggest investments you will make in your lifetime. Since you will use a portion of your income to make monthly payments on a home, it is important to know how much home you can afford when shopping for a new home. Keep the following tips in mind so that you will be ahead of the game when it comes time to buy that new house.

Build Good Credit

Your lender will qualify you for an amount of money you will be able to borrow based on your credit profile. You will also get the best interest rates if you have good credit. If you need to bring up your credit score, Bankrate discusses here in detail what you can do to achieve better credit.

Reduce Your Debt

Before you buy a home, it's important to reduce your debt. Maybe you have student loans or credit card debt. If it's not possible to completely pay off the debts, then at least pay down your debts, starting with debt with the highest interest rates. With more disposable income, you might be able to afford the home of your dreams.

Show Your Ability to Save

Most lenders require some type of down payment on a home. So, why not start saving before the big purchase? Determine a reasonable amount that you are able to set aside each week or month. Let the money accumulate in a savings account so that when it comes time to buy the new house, you will have the down payment.

Set a Price Limit and Stick With It

Before you even begin looking, ask your lender to pre-qualify you to see how much you can borrow. Determine the amenities that must come with your new home. Once you find a home, use a mortgage calculator to get an idea of what your payment is going to be and ensure the payment is manageable.

Bid On Homes That Aren't Selling

According to Money Crashers, you shouldn't assume that if a home hasn't sold there must be something wrong with it. It could be that the market is saturated with homes available for sale or maybe the home has an unpleasant curb appeal. You can find good deals with these homes.

Buying a home can be both exciting and stressful. Luckily there are workers out there, such as those at The Alan Smith Team - RE/MAX Professionals that can help make the job a lot easier. They can also help you find the best possible home for you. You can definitely take comfort in knowing that you are never alone.