When planning “the big event”, those small charges begin to add up.  Pretty soon, your wedding budget has stretched beyond your original plan.  Home buying requires the same kind of discipline.  It’s easy to pay too much if you don’t know that:

• The best loans are those offered to you at market rate with no extra fees.  If you are paying more than 3.5% of the purchase price in closing costs, you are probably paying too much.  If you are paying more than quoted market rates for the mortgage, ask why.
• There are affordable homes in virtually every price range, so there is no reason to overspend on your home.  Pick a house payment range and stick to it, unless you have a really good reason to change (raise at work).  Hold your Realtor accountable to show you homes in this price range.
• Ask your Realtor and Lending Consultant for tips on how to save money on the purchase of your first home.  It’s their job to get you a good deal.