Don’t spend more on a house than you can afford! It can be tempting to try and push the needle, especially when competition is high, but being patient will be better for your finances in the long run

Get pre-approved for a loan so you have a better sense of what you can afford. That’ll help you better understand what’s within your budget and where to start your home search. Some seller will not even look at your offer unless it is accompanied by a pre-approval letter