With August just beginning, this can often be a new time of transition. If you're looking to buy a new house the prospect of house hunting can seem like a daunting experience, but it doesn’t have to be. With some thought out planning, dedicated time and the help of a professional, you can turn your house search into house owning in no time.

1.       Get the Help of a Professional

Realtors exist for a reason! They know the industry both from training and experience. Hiring one can bring you a huge advantage to your house hunt and can take some of the burden off of you. An experienced realtor can make helpful recommendations on lendors, find homes you might’ve missed and aid you in negotiating prices.

2.       Set your Budget

And stick to it! Knowing what you can comfortably afford is key to keeping your stress levels low as you search the market for your ideal property. Be sure to get pre-approved for a mortgage first so you know exactly what you will be able to borrow. After that, set a budget for emergency maintenance,  improvement costs, monthly repayments and any fees that might come up from the buying process. It sounds like a lot, but once you’ve figured this out it will make saying yes and no to potential properties all the easier.

3.       Study Up on Locations

This will ultimately help you narrow your search even further. When you know what locations will work well for you, whether that’s based on proximity to schools, work, or parks, you can eliminate everything not in your ideal locations. Saftey and proximity to what you desire are two big factors to consider here, as these factors will also come to play if you ever decide to put the house back on the market.

4.       Double Check Before You Buy

Once you’ve narrowed your search to your ideal home, be sure to put in some thorough research on the property before you commit. Take a look at the property values in the local area and see what similar homes in the neighborhood are selling for. This could help you see if the asking price is fair and how the value of the property might change in the future. It is also important to invest in a home inspection. Though they aren’t cheap, they could end up saving you a lot of money in the long run. If any potential issues are found during the inspection, you can request the seller make the repairs or you could even use this as a bargaining tool to lower the price.

5.       Think to the Future

Is this a home you can see yourself living and growing in? Does the space meet your unique needs? It’s important you can see yourself being comfortable in the space. Of course keep in mind that the house may not be exactly as you want it when you purchase it. Things like paint, carpeting and wallpaper can easily be replaced to meet your style needs. A home is an investment!