Investing in real estate for the first time in order to acquire your first home is certainly the most important deal you are going to make. In case you are new to buying homes, you will likely meet difficulties. Some people often postpone their purchase and just go on renting a place, or worse - they take the first offer and then feel sorry when it turns out it wasn’t such a smart decision.

Having basic knowledge of what to watch out for and what to focus your efforts on during the research process is very important. Not only will this ensure that you don’t fall victim to any scam, but also that you invest your money in something that you actually like. Any move to a permanent home is a big deal, and you need to be careful to ensure it’s a success. Here is what you have to consider:

• What are you long-term goals? - try to decide what owning a home means to you. Is it that you want to invest in a tangible asset, instead of ‘wasting’ money on a rent? Are you fed up with the home cleaning requirements of your landlord and you wish that you were your own landlord? Whatever it is that makes you want to buy a new home should be tied to your long-term goals, including family and career. This will allow you to narrow down your options and better understand what to aim for.

• What type of home works best for you? - is it a single-family home, a condo, or a house that best suits your needs? Before you delve deeper into various offers, you have to first decide on what you are after. There are certain factors to consider here, such as the fact that whatever home you buy will be in need of further home cleaning and maintenance, so do not forget to include this into your analysis. Only buy a home that you know you will be able to look after.

• What features does your ideal home have? - ideally you want your home to be right for all of your needs and fulfill every requirement you have. After all, you are making a big investment to buy the property so you have to feel good about it. And while it is true that you should be flexible, as often one home is lacking in one aspect, but makes up for it in other, you have to be adamant about certain features. For example, you want to know what area your new home is located in, as this will determine how long you travel for work. Decide how big you want your home to be, and then determine other details such as garden space, room configuration and others.

• What budget can you spare? - you know that buying a home is an expensive feat. For this reason you have likely considered a bank loan. Keep in mind the total cost of the loan and monthly payments. Take into account possible extra costs, such as end of tenancy cleaning (before you move out) and hiring a real estate agent to look for your home.

• Will you buy on your own, or with a professional? - you can likely locate enough home offers on the internet, or through other means. However, you can hire a real estate agent to help you as their expertise is going to provide a great deal in locating a better offer. You have to decide how you will go about it.

Answer all of these questions before you make a deal of buying your first home. It’s the small details that can make big difference.