When you’re ready to buy your first home, you may be overly excited about the prospect of owning your very own house. However, as a first-time homebuyer, you may not be aware of some of the struggles that new homebuyers, and homebuyers in general, are struggling with right now. To help you prepare for the process of looking for and buying a home, here are a few things to keep in mind for optimal homebuying success:

Finding the right loan can be a hassle

There are a lot of loans out there, and finding the right one that will make it easy for you to effectively pay off your mortgage with good terms and rates isn’t always a piece of cake. In fact, it can be quite the headache, so if you’re hoping to only commit to a mortgage that you know is doing you right, consider working with a loan advisor so that you can get support in choosing the appropriate loan for you. Whether you qualify for VA loans in Florida or jumbo loans in Tennessee, let a professional guide you in choosing what works best for your life situation.

Don’t skip a home inspection

When you get approved for the best possible loan, you may be jumping to go with a new home purchase, and you want to start shopping ASAP. However, when looking for the ideal house for you, the last thing that you want to do is jump the gun. Houses have a way of looking beautiful at first glance, but when you take a closer look or start living in them, you may find a myriad of issues that are more trouble than they’re worth.

Hiring a professional to help you inspect a home before you buy it can help save you money and heartache down the road. Don’t just settle for a standard inspection either—really get to know the house’s bones.

Getting chosen in a competitive market

The thing about the real estate market at times is that it can be hugely competitive. People want to buy the best homes, and when the market is hot, houses sell like hotcakes. What this means for you is that while you may be ready to buy a home, someone else may be more ready than you. Cash offers, higher offers, quicker offers—well, in a competitive market, other homebuyers may get that home that you so desperately wanted.

Something to consider is whether you’re trying to bite off more than you can chew and buying a home that isn’t affordable in the current market. Consider looking a bit lower so that you can be the one quickest to draw.

Knowing when to buy

Sometimes people want to buy when the market is booming, and they offer more money than a home may actually be worth. Sometimes people shop when the rates are skyrocketing and they get tied down to a hard-to-manage loan. Knowing when to buy isn’t easy, but if you work with a real estate professional, it can be a bit easier to navigate the real estate market. Striking when the time is right could get you the deal that you really want.

Find the best location

A mistake that new homebuyers can make is settling for a nice house in a location that isn’t what they want. They may concede to a decision like this one out of their desire to buy a home, but in the long run, they find themselves miserable. Whether it’s buying a home in a less-than-desirable school area or buying a house that is a far commute from your daily activities, there are many reasons to shop for a home in the location that you want. Remember, it will impact your day-to-day, so take your time when choosing a location.