If you are about to purchase your first home, then it is important to make the right decision. Most potential homeowners are looking for a home in a good neighborhood and near a good school. You do not want to end up in a neighborhood filled with crime or overpaying for your home. Here are three tips to help you with finding your dream house. 

Hire A Lawyer

Buying a home is one of the largest purchases you will make. When you agree to purchase a house, you have to enter a written agreement with the seller. You need a residential real estate lawyer to look over the agreement.

 A lawyer can help you avoid first-time home buyer mistakes. The agreement may require you to pay a broker's commission even if the sale does not go through. It could also require you to pay a fee to more than one broker. A real estate lawyer can negotiate an agreement that benefits you and the seller when it comes to commission.

You will need a lawyer to explain the details of the agreement. He or she can make changes that benefit you and the seller. If additions were made to the house, then you want to make sure they were done legally. It helps to seek the advice of a lawyer from the time you decide to buy a house until closing. 

Come Up With Cash For Down Payment And Closing Fees

You will need to come up with cash for the closing and down payment. Lenders prefer that sellers put down 20 percent of the house's price. If you cannot put down 20 percent, then you will have to find loans to accommodate the difference. You also have to pay private mortgage insurance when not paying 20 percent. Private mortgage insurance (PMI) protects banks in case you fail to make payments. A portion of the PMI is added to your mortgage payments. 

Choose A Good Neighborhood

You are going to be living in this house for a long time. It helps to find a neighborhood you will enjoy living in. Some home buyers make the mistake of not researching the area of their new home. One of the way to do this to visit the neighborhood at night. This is best time to see how the neighborhood functions when everyone is at home.

The people who live in the neighborhood are one of the main sources for finding out information. You should talk to the neighbor next door to find out more about crime and the noise level. 

It takes a lot of time in finding the right home. However, it is a decision you do not have to make alone. You can benefit from seeking legal advice